| Cybernetic Hunters: Phoneix Of Evil | |
|
Luke - ex-Student  |
Prologue
The war between Christians and radical Muslims rages across the stars. Many thought that the First Galactic War would unite humanity. It did, for a time. Although after the war, when mankind began to seed the galaxy with its people, they began to slip back into the old ways of thinking that nearly caused its extinction on earth. The colonies and outposts of humanity took up arms against each other, making alliances then converting the alien races of galaxy to their causes and religions. The Second Galactic War began, and still rages some 12,000 years after the end of the first war. Some say the first war ended. To protect their interests in the Milky Way, the Christians, operating from their capital, Mars gathered together its powerful alien allies forming the G.S.S. (Galactic Star Systems.) The Muslims formed their own alliances calling it Dark Star. The galaxy is now divided, each side trying to out do the other, in ships, colonies, converts, and soldiers. The other major religions; Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism etc. are still around, and strong as ever. The people of religions however have taken a non interference stance joining neither side. Muslims that have remained loyal the G.S.S. cause have been placed in places of authority. They have been made senators, generals, and they have been incorporated into military units as spies, snipers, squad and platoon leaders, among other things. For now this is a war of words, and ideologies, a cold war. It’s just a matter of who strikes first, turning this cold war hot. 8 September 14080 2020hrs, MST (Martian Standard Time) An Unknown Senatorial Apartment, Valles Marineris, Martian Capital A Martian Senator stood by a transparent lunarroidium window positioned the back of her opulent senatorial apartment, located near the center of Mars City. As the sun sank lower behind the cylindrical, triangular, cubical skyscrapers that dominated the planetary skyline, Senator Nigh grew impatient, she knew her insectiod contact was a busy man— a twig thin ant-like alien but what could be keeping him? From behind her in middle of the long, large, rectangular-shaped wooden table a hologram snapped on, coming from the table’s built-in holoimaging device. The hologram’s voice was deep and metallic as it spoke. “Good evening Madam Senator…” the insectiod paused waiting for a reply. Without turning her eyes away from the window that showed waves of oval-shaped passenger haulers ferrying people around and to an from the capital world of Galactic Star Systems, Senator Nigh spoke, her voice was cold and harsh. “I have a assignment for you and associates…” she turned, causing her red and white robes swirl around her as she burned hole through the transparent hologram with her lovely hazel eyes. “…You are to hunt down and kill all the members of an elite bounty hunting/special ops team that is attending Mars Academy, but are soon to be away for summer vacation.” The Insectiod blinked, “Madam Senator why is it that this elite unit needs to be eliminated.” The senator exploded in a red-hot rage. “Because you half-witted arthropod!” she fumed. “Because why?” asked the Insectiod quizzically. “Because the senator shouted. Anger and frustration caused by this Insectoid’s incessant questioning made it difficult for her to remain of in control of her emotions. “The leader of this elite squad of young devil dogs (marines) is Taav Sharroock, the eldest son of two other Martian senators Carl and Saerah Sharroock. “If Taav and friends found out that I am the leader of a thought-to-be whipped out terrorist network they will not hesitate to ether capture me or kill me. That is why they must be eliminated first.” The holographic image froze in thought as it looked at the tall beautiful women with dark black hair, which seemed to cascade over her shoulders. After a long while the tiny hologram asked with unblinking black eyes, “Madam Senator… just what is the name of this elite unit?” The senator answered coldly, “Cybernetic Hunters” Chapter One: Cybernetic Hunters 2328hrs MST (Martian Standard Time) Mars Academy, Valles Marineris, Martian Capital Moonlight spilled into the open hanger bay. Taav Sharroock, eight year-old Martian marine stood at parade rest staring out into the star-filled sky. Taav, like the other Martian, Dan’n’noren, and Qu’eris marines that filled the hanger bay, Taav hoped to picked for elite combat training and placed in a marine force recon squad. Eleven weeks of boot camp at Deimos could pay off in flash if he was picked for this difficult training. I’ve do I have what it takes to become a recon marine? Taav thought to himself. The door at the end of the hanger bay opened a soft whoosh. In stepped a dark silhouette of a being. The silhouette made its way to the center of the hanger bay, pivoted on its heel and stood the young marines. “Cadetsss my name is Lt. Col. Borvak.” The entire group of marines snapped to attention and saluted respectively. “You have been chosen become recon marinesss.” The silhouette hissed. The Lt. Col. must be a Dan’n’noren Taav thought. But of which species of Dan’n’noren is he. Lt. Col. Borvak belonged to the more warfare-hardened Komodo Dragon-like Dan’n’norens that lived in the dry desert-like interior of the water world’s big main islands. These Dan’n’norens were bloodthirsty and seemingly as a symptom of this, after a battle they would feast on the dead rotting bodies of their enemies. Taav felt insignificant next to this towering colossus. Being eight years old he was only five foot two, he had not yet reached his growth spurt. “On this datapad are the names of the cadets that will join the ranks of the recon marinesss.” the Lt. Col. Hissed. “Taav Sssharroock.” At hearing his name Taav stepped forward, snapped to attention and saluted. “Taav Sharroock reporting sir” Taav exclaimed loudly. “Very good Sssharroock Lt. Col. Borvak returned the salute saying, fall in.” “Aye, sir.” Taav Sharroock, a sixteen Year-Old Martian, who was the squad leader of the marine force recon squad known as the Cybernetic Hunters awoke in the main barracks of Mars Academy’s restricted lower levels. The Cybernetic Hunters are part of the UMMC. (United Martian Marine Corps), a former subsidiary of the United States Marine Corps, as well as the combined marine forces of other nations that survived the asteroid impact of Earth in 2080. The Cybernetic Hunters where attached to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, 2nd Recon Battalion, 4th platoon. Only a select few of student populous and facility knew that these levels existed. Taav’s bunk welt warm and soothing against his shirtless skin. His green eyes darted around the poorly lit barracks his bare, skin seemed to change color as the number of nanobots on its surface of it increased. They had been ordered by Taav’s cyberneticly enhanced brain to clothe the young recon marine in environmental-color changing lunarroidium armor, and arm him with an M-20A4 assault rifle. This seemingly in-human ability was caused by his nanobots, which absorbed this gear into his bloodstream during boot camp As Taav jumped down from the top most bunk, he became more alert. Taav’s muscles tensed ready for combat Cold sweat began to pore from the pores his skin— the Cybernetic Hunters called it “fear sweat,” caused by high uneasiness or warning of danger close by. Taav slowly walked out of the low ceilinged barracks. Taav squatted outside the door sweeping his weapon in a high, then medium arc, as he checked for hostels that might be creeping down the corridor toward his position, ether by bipedal locomotion or by clinging to the ceiling. Realizing he might have been spotted by the creature that had made that blood curdling sound that had awoke him but only him, and wandered why that was so. He eased up on his legs to put himself in a half-squat run position, so could sprint sideways toward the cover of a structural support beam and fight were he might be protected if his adversary shot at him. Taav heard footsteps coming up from behind He whirled expecting a bloodthirsty enemy, only to find Rachael Carlson, his former girlfriend and second-in-command standing before him. “Sorry I didn’t mean to startle you” Rachael apologized. She wore a black leather bra with forest-patterned fatigues and black combat boots. “Don’t be, the adrenaline keeps a soldier combat ready.” Taav said. “Do you ever have second thoughts about us?” Rachael asked raising an eyebrow. “I’d be doing my heart a disservice if I said no.” Taav answered truthfully Rachael came closer. “My heart has yearned to be with you again Taav knew Rachael was sincere. We could once again be boyfriend and girlfriend, if you so desire.” “What about my duty to the Corps?” Taav asked dryly. “The brass does not understand that it was not your doing, as to I getting raped, it was your brother. In seeking to punish someone, they brought the hammer down on you well as Aavor.” Something like a distant memory worked its way into Taav’s mind. The unspeakable act of rape had happened a week prior, but still made Taav angry when he thought about it. Aavor crept into the girl’s barracks. It was late at night, twenty-two hundred hours. His target: Rachael. Careful not to make any noise he made his way to her rack. To his great surprise she woke up turning her head to look at him. “Taav?” she asked sleepily. “No” Aavor quickly and firmly put a hand over her mouth to stifle her cries for help. “Aw, son-of-a…aw!” Aavor retracted his hand, looking at the palm of his left hand in dismay, at the wound; a gapping hole had been opened up in his hand, where he had placed it, then drew it back the skin still in between Rachael’s teeth. The wound stung something fierce, all the while seeping blood. Feeling humiliated at being shown up by girl, Aavor leapt on top of Rachael. When he landed though he landed on a sharp object that felt like it severed something vital to his sperm production. He looked down to see only to see the handle of the knife sticking out of his crotch area. As well as a lot of blood and seamen poring out the wound. Aavor could feel that the knife had ruptured one of his testicles. “Yeowich! Anh! My… Ahh!” Rachael ripped the knife out of Aavor’s destroyed sexual organ plugging into his left. By now Rachael’s friends in the girl’s barracks and male squadmates in the men’s barracks had been awakened. Taav was the first the young marines to enter the barracks, anger quickly consumed him. He rushed over, ripping the mortally wounded Aavor of his girlfriend, tossing him as if he where a rag doll. “Rachael you all right?” Taav exclaimed. “I am but he isn’t though.” Rachael pointed to were Taav had thrown Aavor. Taav pivoted on his heel to face his brother. “How does it feel to be castrated finally, after sleeping around with all those girls, Aavor?” How would it feel if I beat you to a plump, right now in front of everyone, Aavor?” “You…wouldn’t.” Aavor gasped. Taav walked over to be is brother was proceeding to kick him hard in the ribs. “Wouldn’t I? Shall I? Taav asked coldly. “Trying to make my girlfriend lose her virginity before she’s even married? You poor excuse for a man.” Taav kicked so hard that several of Aavor’s ribs broke. “Your disgrace to the family name, going behind my back; like that!” Another one of Aavor’s ribs broke, as Taav kicked. “Trying to have sex with myyy girlfriend!” Aavor was spitting blood now. “ She…cut off…” Aavor whimpered. “Good, perhaps now you’ll learn not to sleep with other guy’s girlfriends!” Taav was shaking now from all the pint up rage. He kicked Aavor one last time, aiming for groin. “Ahh, please no more” Aavor screamed I can’t take it!” Taav snorted, “You should have thought of that before Rachael had to defend herself against your intrusion and botched procreation!” Taav thundered. Two days later Taav and Rachael were summoned to Lt. Col. Borvak’s office, situated in the restricted part of the academy, hidden way from prying eyes. “Reporting as ordered sir” Taav exclaimed, he and Rachael snapped to attention saluting. Lt. Col. Borvak stood facing a gigantic lunarroidium window, his clawed hands clasped behind his back. Still gazing out the window he hissed. “At eassse, you two may have a ssseat if you wisssh.” “Thank you sir” Taav said spying two anti-magnetic field chairs. When the two young officers were seated Lt. Col. Borvak directed his full attention away from the window, out it was a view of Mars City at midday, to more immediate concerns. “Formal dresss wasss not required” Rachael and Taav had put on their dress blues for this meeting. “It may not have been sir, on the other hand.” Taav paused looking into his commander officer’s sun yellow eyes. “We thought it prudent to do so, considering the seriousness of this issue.” Lt. Col. Borvak nodded as he sat down in a high backed leather anti-magnetic field chair that’s seat was wider and longer than most to accommodate his massive size, as well as his four foot long tail. “Indeed, it isss a serious issue, there isss no doubt about that. I’ am curiousss about one thing though.” “Yes sir?” Taav asked sitting up straighter in his chair. “Hasss Gunnery Sergeant Aavor alwaysss been thisss way?” Taav nodded. “If you mean not being able to keep his “thing” in his pants around a pretty girl, or any girl, then yes sir.” “Thing?” Lt. Col. used claw to pick some out scraps of rotted meat from between his teeth. “What is this “thing” you speak of? Is it perhaps food?” under normal circumstances Taav would have laughed his head off at a comment like that. His reptilian squadmates often used that phrase when saw something they thought was editable. Taav reminded himself that Lt. Col. Borvak was the same species of “Komodo Dragon” as they were. “It’s his penis, sir” Taav answered. “Ah yesss, the reproductive organ, that human malesss use for procreation, as well as urination.” “Yes sir” Taav said glumly. “Rachael isss your mate, isss ssshe not?” My mate, no.” Taav shifted uneasily in his seat. “My girlfriend yes.” “And your aggressssion and sssevere beating of your brother was only becaussse Rachael was threatened by the act of premarital procreation your brother wasss trying to force her to commit?” “Yes sir.” Lt. Col. Borvak placed his hands on his desk, clutching them together tightly. Sssitutionsss sssuch asss thisss are commonplace on my homeworld. What usually happensss isss two young malesss, in order to woo a young female, will fight for right to mate with her. The victor would then take that female to be his mate, without having not to worry about any threat of law being used against him or his mate by the loser. Who would be cast out of society, deemed unfit to take a mate himself.” “Are you saying what I did was right?” Taav asked his eyes widening. “You besssted your opponent in sssingle combat, using only your witsss and ssstrength to defeat him.” Taav shrugged,” Rachael did most of the work by stabbing Aavor.” That provesss ssshe would make a worthy mate, would ssshe not?” Taav looked at Rachael. “Yes sir, a worthy mate.” “It is mossst unfortunate that my sssuperiorsss feel it necessary to either quarantine her here the academy or relocated Rachael to outpost and or ship in some other part of the galaxy.” “She can stay here, can’t she sir?” “That’sss what the quarantine would be for, to keep male contact minimal.” “Sir, if I may speak freely.” Taav said. Lt. Col. Borvak nodded. “Rachael is a valued member of my squad. She was instrumental in her role as my second-in-command during the Ket Yorr crisis, in which she took over the command of my squad, when I was wounded. She then called in an air strike on a Dark Star artillery position, which had been shelling my squad.” “Yesss I’m quite familiar with that black operation your squad wasss asssigned.” The green light indicating it was time jump flickered on. In front of the Cybernetic Hunters the ramp/door of CH-67 troop transport opened. A blast of bone chilling air, negative one hundred degrees below zero rushed into the transport. Why can’t we get sent on mission somewhere warm, like Dan’n’nor? Aavor complained. Our mission is to neutralize an early warning sensor station in the Keeka Jordell mountain range. Taav explained. Besides our lunarroidium armor has the most advanced life support systems the military can buy or create. Quit worrying and jump already. Taav placed foot on his brother’s back and pushed. That’s not funny…Aavor tumbled out the transport into the open air. Taav went next, ever the show off he got a running start, executing a front flip out of transport. The ceiling or maximum attitude for this H.A.L.O. (High Attitude Low Open) insertion was the edge of space. Sixty thousand feet. Looking down Taav saw that his brother was in free fall spinning end over end. Taav immediately tucked his arms flush against his sides. His legs held out straight and tightly together. His speed increased. Below him the snow-capped peaks and white powdered slops of the Keeka Jordell mountain range seemed to stretch into the fading twilight in every direction. The sensor station was located six klicks west by northwest of their insertion point. The plan was for Taav’s squad to deploy their anti-magnetic field boards, once they were at level of sixty feet above the rugged terrain. They then would hug the terrain using it as cover, approaching their objective undetected. As Taav near Aavor he spread his arms and legs to decrease his overall velocity. “Gotcha!” Taav yelled over the wind of the blizzard the weather reports said would be hitting the area hard before they reached the insertion point. He had gripped the leg of Aavor’s snow-white armor, this had stopped his spinning. Rachael floated down, glancing at the pair as she fell. “Need some help sir?” she yelled. “Grab his left arm, and roll him to my three o’clock.” Taav shouted back. Together they righted Aavor letting go as soon as he was. The digital altimeter displayed on the half tinted visor of Taav’s helmet counted his rate of freefall. Distance descending per minute: 1000 feet Speed: Mach .4 Current Attitude: 600 Feet Taav did the math and numbers were shocking. Change of plans, ignite boards now! Taav screamed in desperation. The plan was… Aavor was cut off by Taav. The plan changed, we must adapt to survive on this mission as we have on countless others, now ignite your board unless you want to become a grease smudge on the side of a mountain. Taav jerked legs forward, bringing his anti-magnetic field board flush with the ground. Taav already knew this would not work; he and his squad would die on this mission, not because of enemy fire, but because of death by freefall. The engines mounted on bottom and back of his anti-magnetic field board suddenly ignited. Taav had forgotten that he and Andréaus had modified each board specifically for this mission. They had increased the energy, so that it was proportional to the power generated by their CX-90’s. Taav knew that the only that their boards would have them is if they where traveling forward at a high rate of speed in a zigzag pattern. That would take several miles and more altitude than they had available. All of a sudden the Cybernetic Hunters terminal velocity slowed dramatically. Taav knew beyond any doubt what had saved them all. All right Jaguar! Taav yelled in thought Forty-five minutes later the Cybernetic Hunters were on a low crag, twenty feet above their target, having been deposited by the Jaguar, which flew in cloaked, and its sensors had been monitoring their plight from low orbit, swooping into save day. The Cybernetic Hunters now wearily observed active at the early warning station was built completely into a mountain. The station had strong defensive shields, and anti-spacecraft protection. A holographic image appeared from the portable holographic imager. “Ok, listen and listen well.” Taav exclaimed, eyeing each of his squadmates individually “The plan to destroy this early warning station has changed some what, our overall mission objectives remain the same.” A semi-circular building was being displayed. “This is a shield generating complex. They may look small, but are actually two miles across, and four wide. There’re six such generators located around the outside of the facility. The problem is that deep within the facility are four larger shield generators, situated around a central point, which heavily guarded. Those project a shield around the external generators, as well as providing energy for the air defenses of this facility.” “Oh.” Aavor snarled. That’s just peachy. “We have to brake into “Fort Knox” located on some ice cube, eighty thousand parsecs from home, and help, in blizzard, all the while, evading capture and/or detection by Dark Star.” “Are always so negative Aav?” Rachael asked adjusting the sling of her over and under double-barreled shotgun. “Well I tend to take offense when our commanding officer takes on the assignment of a suicide mission, without discussing his choice of assignment with any consent of those under his command.” “That will be the end of that line of talk from you; do I make myself clear to you?” Rachael asked. “Taav’s “bodyguard” once again protects him from verbal onslaught of those around him.” Rachael’s left hand balled into a fist. “Someone’s a little testy” Aavor jeered at seeing Rachael’s reaction. “You’ll see how testy I can get when I break your jaw” Rachael growled. “Oow.” Aavor quivered in mock fear. “Big, bad Captain Carlson is going hurt me, someone help.” In a blur of motion Rachael’s left fist smashed into Aavor’s right check bone. Aavor’s nanobots disassembled his helmet partly, making him able to spit blood and fragmented teeth onto the white powdered snow. “My jaw, you broke my jaw” Aavor words came out slurred, as more blood filled his mouth and spat it onto the ground. A few feet away Taav laid prawn mumbling something to himself. “Only two sentries at the twelve o’clock shield bunker.” Taav looked closer, the pupil’s of his eyes widening to allow as much light as possible into his eyes, it then bounced off a series of tiny implanted mirrors to sending that light to his retina. The other shield bunkers that he saw were also lightly defended. Getting to his feet Taav explained his orders slowly and firm to his squadmates. “We’re going to repel down the face of this cliff, the storm that is fast approaching will give us extra cover, in that we’ll have the luxury of hoofing it to the shield bunkers unseen. Our active camo often shimmers if we move to fast; we also have normally to be careful to go over our own footsteps. With this storm coming it will make it easier to move around, without being seen. Do not however throw caution to the wind. Move with care, watch each others backs and we all make it out of this alive.” The decent toward the shield bunker was slow and tedious. The repel lines were made of thousands strands of tightly machine woven strands of nylon and lunarroidium. Rachael was the first of Taav’s squad to make it all the way to the bottom of the cliff. She unfastened her repel line, it along with the fastening loop, located around in center of the waist part of her armor, and the grappling hook were all reabsorbed into her bloodstream when she touched the cable. All essential gear had been absorbed into the bloodstreams’ of the Cybernetic Hunters, before the mission had begun. The question still remained. Could the Cybernetic Hunters complete this mission, and live to tell the tale? “More to sssay have you, Captain Sharroock The corridor in which he stood had a high ceiling; eight feet high made from compacted reddish-orange Martian Soil. The walls to where dirt, that had a special cement coating sprayed on them and ceiling making them ultra-strong and making it very hard to cause a cave in. Taav’s cyberneticly enhanced eyes began to so turn a deeper shade green as his night vision became unnaturally sharper. By now he was fully encased in strong yet flexible combat armor, just then he heard another glass breaking roar and also the sound of plasma fire as if, the night time sentries patrolling the corridors had finally had heard the noise being created by the intruders and rushed intercept them. Behind him, Taav heard the sound of booted and clawed feet hit the deck at rapid pace as the other students housed in lower levels of the academy now became aware of threat. They were now awake and making double time through the corridors on their way to set up defensive perimeter around the vital areas of the school. “What in world is going on?” asked, as she and the other ten Cybernetic Hunters came up behind Taav. As he looked at variety information files on his H.H.U.D. (Holographic Heads Up Display), which was integrated into his helmet’s visor, Taav aimed his M-20A4 assault rifle down the darkened corridor. At the same time, Taav used his nanothought link; a form of artificial telepathy that allowed beings with cyberneticly enhanced brains to communicate without speaking, to “voice” his Idea. Nikii, Jacorum, and Jane come with me… as for you… he turned his head the left, his eyes focused on Jane, who brought the rear, make sure we don’t get flanked. Acknowledging their orders the Cybernetic Hunters split into two groups. As Taav and his group slipped around the protection of the girder, weapons at the ready, and the rest covered them, half aiming their weapons to shoot over other Cybernetic Hunters heads, as rest turned around aiming their weapons in the opposite direction. The single shape-shifter turned around to face the other end of the dark corridor, dropping to all fours. Within a few seconds a transformation began to take place. Jane’s cranium slowly and simultaneously lost her mammalian covering of hair and elongated, mouth and nose fused becoming reptilian snout; ash gray scales replaced her cream skin tone. Purple eyes became sun yellow surrounding black corneas, muscular human-like arms and legs became powerful legs with clawed feet, and lastly a long tail spouted from the coccyx. Within the space of a few minutes a single Komodo dragon had taken the place of the member of the Cybernetic Hunters. Suddenly an explosion sent all of the Cybernetic Hunters the deck. Sounds like someone destroyed the Academy’s shield generator Taav thought. He glanced around; his enhanced vision and hearing allowing him to check if anyone hurt, then his ears heard the faint sound of motion. Getting up Taav ran toward a magelev. Sudden noises from in front and behind them made all the Cybernetic Hunters froze in place for millisecond before Taav thought: Ok, all of you fan out and take defensive positions, behind the structural support girders. Out of ink black darkness came three ant-like aliens they stood blocking access to the bank of cylindrical magelevs. Across the gap between them, Jane Tyerac, Taav’s girlfriend gripped a frag grenade in her left hand. Jane, wait. Taav thought looking the beautiful Qu’eris girl as green eyes met purple, which shown more brightly because of there cyberneticly enhanced night vision. She was epiphany of perfection; six feet tall, long purple hair hung down to her shoulders. From her shoulders down her, like all Cybernetic Hunters she was clothed lunarroidium armor. Three insectoids let high pitched chirps. They must be insectoids Taav thought with awe. How do we kill thessse thingsss hissed Jacorum, a seven foot tall, yellow eyed marine iguana-like Cybernetic Hunter from Dan’n’nor. I will throw plasma pulse grenades under them, where their exoskeletons are softest Taav grinned at thought of seeing those six-legged freaks of nature being killed. Taav suddenly felt a slight tickling sensation on his right hand as some of microscopic nanobots that had been in his blood stream had now begun to crawl out of pores in the skin of his right hand and construct a sound pulse grenade. Taav gave Jane a nod, indicating he was ready, she returned it. On three… one… two… three…! Two sound pulse grenades rolled along the deck, like light bulb shaped barrels of TNT. Fire in the hole! Taav cried without speaking, as he swiftly turned around covering his ears and pressing his back tightly against the girder. A second later bluish green blood, abdomens, and entrails flew everywhere. A low cry of pain came from one of creatures that had been wounded by the blast… it wouldn’t last long when the other insects heard it. They gave a squeal of delight as they raced toward their injured comrade, mouth parts clacking hungrily in the air as raced past the Cybernetic Hunters, completely oblivious to their presents. Taav slowly stuck his head around the girder to watch the wounded arachnid’s plight, but was hopeless: most of legs had been broken and were oozing blood. Taav felt a another sound pulse grenade in his right hand, pressing the red arming button down Taav quickly spun around and chucked the grenade as hard as he could toward the ants who were just about getting to feed. The grenade exploded in mid air only two feet away from unsuspecting predators, the resulting shockwave tore through the remaining insects’ exoskeletons splashing the gray lunarroidium floor with an ocean of blood and interals. Taav stepped out from behind the girder sweeping his weapon in another slow arc, as other Cybernetic Hunters followed him, some walking backward with weapons raised to cover the others sixes. Clear, Taav thought as he ran toward a magnetic elevator. “T…T…aav” exclaimed a hurt defender of Mars Academy. Taav heard the voice making him stop and glance around for the person who had spoke. He saw him sitting on the floor leaning against far wall, his brown eyes were shut tightly and he winced in pain when he tired to move his right leg. Taav immediately recognized the red haired boy, “Zack!” he said running to his friend’s side and knelt. Taav had met Zack; when all three of them were eight years-old. Taav smiled remembering that time well when he and his brother had slipped out of their home, an opulent senatorial apartment high in Mars’s lower atmosphere to go into the dark dangerous depths of Mars City. Zack gritted his teeth to fight back the pain in leg as he spoke, “I was on night watch outside the academy with some other students…. when….when….” “Save your strength, we’ll get ya out here” Taav reassured his friend placing a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Nikii… Jane….” Nikii and Jane, who had changed back into her near human form jogged up behind him. Nikii, already anticipating what Taav was going to say ran forward with a cloth dressing to bandage Zack’s wound, while the cream skinned six foot tall, purple eyed shape-shifter crouched, looking on, ready to proffer her help. “Can you walk” asked Nikii, looking with a worried exasperation at Zack’s wound; the white cloth dressing was already turning crimson and the wound under it swell and die from arachnoid’s venom, Zack shook his red haired head. “Jane…please shape-shift into something Zack can ride…he’s in no shape into walk.” The shape-shifter nodded, then as her nanobots disassembled her lunarroidium combat armor she again got down on all fours, shape shifting this time into a large black horse. “Jacorum, help me with Zack,” exclaimed Nikii looking at Zack with growing concern. Before any of them could react, Jane trotted past, stopping only few inches from the injured boy, folding her legs under herself as she crouched. “Ahh!” Zack cried out in pain as he tried to make his legs lift high an enough off the ground, so he could slide on to the “horse’s” back. Come on… you can do it thought Jane encouragingly as she sat there without moving, excreting plenty of patience (which is very hard for her to do) as Zack tired again. Almost there…almost…you did it! I knew you could! Thought Jane happily, slowly rising to standing position with Zack firmly on her back. Taav, were ready thought Jane as the other Cybernetic Hunters took defensive positions around their friends and waited for the order to move out. Cybernetic Hunters fall out…double time! Taav thought urgently sprinting toward the center magnetic elevator door, and just has he did the opened reviling a plasma rifle was pointed directly at his heart. The other Cybernetic Hunters tightened the perimeter defense around the wounded young man and his mount, aiming their weapons at the enemies that threatened their leader’s life. “Safety your weapons,” Taav ordered looking complacently at the members of Cybernetic Hunters inside the magelev as they lowered their weapons. Assaloth, the male reptilian spoke first; his sun yellow eyes drifting from one Cybernetic Hunter to the other. “Where are you guyssss going?” He asked. Jane answered quickly not wanting to waste time, to the infirmary make room for us. “We have room for one more” the seven foot tall ash-gray scaled reptile said motioning with a clawed hand for Jane to come with them. “I know you have trouble with your temper and patience Jane” Zack said weakly. “Thanks for not losing your patience because of me.” What are friends for Jane thought walking into the magelev as quickly as she could. Taav and others wanted until the magelev’s door had closed and they heard it moving to talk. “Aavor, Jacorum, Kam?sh get to the armory as fast as you can” Taav said urgently. “Are you expecting another attack on the academy” Kam?sh hissed flexing his razor-sharp claws and drooling. “Look at those bodies, don’t they look positively delicious.” “No way Kama’sh, you just ate an hour ago.” Taav said “I know thisss, Taav but for me and my brethren the sssight of a fallen adversary is a meal that isss too tempting to passsss up.” “Kaaama’sh.” Taav exclaimed scolding his friend. “We must eat sir, could you imagine the tantalizing odor that would be given off by thessse very bodies in a few daysss, if they weren’t dispossessed of.” “What he means is the sickening odor” Nikii whispered to Rachael. “I could not hear you my friend, could perhaps you speak louder.” Kama’sh turned around; his massive four foot long tail came toward his friends with surprising speed. Nikii ducked out of the way. Rachael leapt over it, Taav tried to, misjudging the distance and in the process was racked. “Anh, my nuts!” Taav groaned. He fell off Kama’sh’s tail onto the floor moaning in agony. It took Taav a few minutes to recover from his pain, he shot an annoyed glance at Kama’sh. “Just do what I ask Kam?sh and then head to the hanger bay” said Taav a little on edge due to what happened to his squad mate, Zack. The door to the infirmary flew open as Jane galloped in stopping near one of the six plastifoam medical beds. “Get that animal out here!” cried Doctor Philip Nelson his blue eyes filling with anger. “Doctor, that…” the female human, Alice said trying to calm down the emotional man and explain the situation same time. “Doctor please don’t be mad that “animal” is Jane, she had to shape-shift so Zack could be brought in here, due to the fact that he had been badly wounded when the insectoids attacked.” Her brown eyes stared at short, balding middle-aged man as he quickly turned and ran to get something from his office. Not needing a reply from the doctor Jane eased to down to where she was level with the examination table, using his strong arms Zack hauled himself off Jane’s back and on to the examination bed. A second later the sound of voices could be heard coming from the doctor’s office. Alice crept forward carefully stepping over her many other friends that lay on the floor that had a variety of wounds. As she reached the wall she turned around and pressed her back to it and began to slide to the left along the half-tinted part of it that separated the doctor’s office from the rest of the infirmary. She peaked around the door, the words and the things she saw made her long brown hair stand on end. Doctor Nelson sat in a cushioned anti-magnetic field office chair, talking to hologram of a beautiful yet sadistic woman in a red and white robe. The hologram’s voice was cold as ice as it spoke, “…They are in the infirmary now?” she asked her long black hair that was as space itself was caught in an evil looking style of braids. “Yes, Madam Senator…what would you like me to do?” Whispered Doctor Nelson foolhardily around his darkened office to make sure no one was listening. “You incompetent Imbecile!” snarled the senator as she broiled with rage. “What do you want me to do!” the senator echoed hotly. Doctor Nelson shuddered he grasped the implications of the Senator’s scheme. “I can’t possibly take on such an elite group of soldiers… no matter what age they are, I would be struck down the moment I drew a weap…” Before the turncoat doctor could finish his sentence he was painted by a laser targeting system attached to high-powered specially modified M-20A4 assault rifle. The tranquilizer dart zipped through the air, making a low sound that was barely audible as it stuck fast into the doctor’s neck, instantly causing him to black out, his head hit the semi-circular redwood desk with a dull thud. His head also hit the button that activated Holoimager, as the hologram winked off. Security to infirmary thought Alice as she jerked her weapon out of entryway of doctor’s office. Spinning on her heel Alice flung her weapon over her shoulder she stopped, feeling the eyes of all the Cybernetic Hunters present in the circular room on her. “We had a traitor in our midst” she said as she gave them all a look at held no emotion in it, before her eyes set on Zack. She opened her mouth and asked, “How you feeling Zack? “Not so hot” he answered from the bed he was on. “What going to…” Zack’s words were cut short by violent convulsions, his skin blanched, and then with one last powerful muscle spasm he lost consciousness. A nurse that had been tending to another young soldier came up the group of Cybernetic Hunters that were in the infirmary. “I’m sorry, but you’ll have to leave” said the thin blue eyed nurse looking at the group with sad eyes. Nikkii looked at kind nurse. She was in her early forties, of modest height, and had long flowing blonde hair. Nikii more than a little worried crossed her arms over her chest and spoke with heated words “The scumbag that ordered this attack will be shown no mercy when we find him or her, thank you for your help ma’am.” With that Nikii spun on her heel and left being flanked by her squadmates. The doors to the infirmary flew open again. In ran an eight month-old Weimaraner by the name of Joe. Joe, Taav’s dog. A big one hundred ten pound male. “Joe, come here boy” Taav said softly. Joe his short tail stub wagged as he ran to his master. Joe jumped up putting front paws on Taav’s chest, standing on hind legs as Taav rubbed his ears. Joe gave a turn of his head liking the attention. “Joe I need you to do something for me, buddy” Joe’s big yellow eyes focused on Taav’s face as Taav stroked his silver-gray fur. “Stay here, guard Zack” Joe got down and trotted over to where Zack lay and sat facing the infirmary entrance. “Good boy, stay” Taav said rejoining the squad. “You wanted to see us sir,” Nikii asked as she stared at the tall Komodo dragon-like Lieutenant Colonel clasped his five fingered hands behind his back; as he let out a sad sigh. Lieutenant Colonel Borvak looked out of the open hanger bay into the night sky. “Taav, I’ve got some bad news” said Lt. Col. Borvak as he turned to face the young recon marine with yellow eyes that showed a deep understanding for the actions Taav and other members of the Cybernetic Hunters might take after they heard what he had to say. “What is it?” “What happened?” Taav asked as the other Cybernetic Hunters ran into the open hanger that was exposed to the planetary environmental elements. The hanger was deadly quiet for long time as if a vacuum had been made inside it, acting as a sound dampening field. “Zack’s may not survive!” wailed Jane as she ran toward Taav tears steaming from her purple eyes. The force of collision between their bodies sent a shockwave through Taav, but wasn’t half as bad as the emotional shockwave that slammed full force into his hippocampus. He hugged her tenderly, as he struggled to control his emotions. “Jane, listen to me… Zack’s sacrifice will not be forgotten no matter what.” Jane raised her head off his left shoulder; Jane stood on her tiptoes being that she was two inches shorter than her boyfriend. Then something happened he didn’t expect; she kissed him. “I hate to disturb you lovebirds, but we got a mission to start” Nikkii exclaimed looking at them as if he was annoyed by their show of compassion for each other. Taav sighed; it was time to begin the Cybernetic Hunters next mission. Nikii tossed Taav a small information disk. Taav caught one-handed, the disk contained a list of gear of that had been already stowed aboard three ships and the information on the bounty they were to track down. “Let’s move!” Jane yelled as she broke her embrace with Taav, she felt much better now. Nikkii was sprinting toward Taav’s oval-shaped, thickly armored and well-armed asteroid runner: Jaguar, followed by Taav, Jane, and Aavor’s former girlfriend Rachael. The rest of the Cybernetic Hunters rushed to the Jaguar as well. The interior of the “Jag,” as it was called was a wonder to behold. Built using the “Star Wars” design meaning that there was only one deck. Within moments the hangar was filled with the sound of hissing like that of snakes as the Jaguar levitated off the hanger deck. They then taxied in midair to the middle of hanger then one by one throttled up to max speed and with the scream of hydrogen fueled engines the small squadron soared into coolness of the Martian night. From the pilot’s seat, Taav looked out across the Martian capital, but his thoughts where far away. “Taav, you alright” asked Jane placing a hand Taav’s right shoulder trying comfort and sooth his body and mind. “Taav my love, you may speak to me if wish” I am here for support.” Taav shook his head to clear it. “I was thinking about Zack, Jane” Then he glanced at his girlfriend. “Zack’s injury was not of your making” Taav swiveled in his chair looking into her eyes. “Then way do I feel some what responsible for it” asked almost crying. “You must be strong Taav, for the squad and for Zack” We all have a duty, and in doing that duty we must deal with trials that test us physically and mentally but, it’s how we cope that counts.” Taav said nothing to Jane, further about Zack as he turned back toward the Jaguar’s controls. “Zack, set course for…” he paused. “The Azen system” said his girlfriend tensely as she looked out of the main viewpoint and saw they had reached space. The space around the capital world was filled with giant Octagon-shaped U.S. sized solar reflective mirrors that reflects light on the Martian surface, therefore keeping the surface temputure warm. These mirrors however where, built as a backup the gigantic C20 “factories” on the red planet’s surface. Smaller diamond-shaped orbital factories and dome-shaped orbital greenhouses lay closer the planet in geosynchronous orbit. “Affirmative” answered the Jaguar’s A.I., the deep voice of the Sharroock brothers now seriously wounded friend. Let’s get some music Taav thought selecting a rock song from his vast collection of classic rock albums. The albums Taav had downloaded from the Universal Database of Music, which was a site the Galactic Net, a version of the internet that has information on anything and everything (that is not deemed classified by the G.S.S. militaries) in the entire settled Milky Way galaxy. The song that had been selected was “The Final Countdown” a 1980’s Earth band by the name of Europe. As song played the Jaguar disappeared into a tunnel of blinding light, a wormhole. Chapter Two: Fleet Action. Taav stared out of the Jaguar’s cockpit viewports. He could not stop thinking about Zack. Taav felt bad that he had been powerless to save his closest friend. Eight years had passed since Taav had met Zack in the lower streets of Mars City. Back then Zack had been a street-wise kid who stole food or other things from the locals and tourists alike, to stay alive. Taav had shown pity to Zack taking the young boy home with him and conceiving his parents to adopt Zack. At first Zack didn’t really want to talk about his family, maybe because he was scared to, or maybe because he didn’t remember much about his past. Zack’s parents had been homeless, moving from place to place in the depths of the planet-wide metropolis. Zack had been born in an abandoned Martian colony, on the southwest side of Mars City. The Jaguar hurtled through the tunnel of light that was known wormhole jump. “Zack what’s our ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) at Azen II” Taav asked yawning. As he leaned back in the pilot chair, Taav felt the chair recline. “Four hours fifty minutes.” The disembodied voice answered. Taav closed his eyes. “Very good, wake me up when we have arrived.” 0800hrs AIIST (Azen II Standard Time) Nyeek Desert, Azen II The eleven Cybernetic Hunters sat on the sandy, dry, wind-swept ground in the shade provided by the Jaguar, as midday heat coming from the Azen system’s twin suns baked the two inner most planets of the twelve planet star system. All the planets in the system except for four had been terraformed, which is making a planet hospitable artificially, so sentient beings from across the vast galaxy could come there if they choose to. Sitting on a rock Aavor slowly chewed on part of his M.R.E. (Meals Ready to Eat) as he, his brother ,and friends, who where also eating from the plastic-like canisters watched the information presented on the disk Taav had been given. The image of a man standing nearly eight feet tall rotated three-hundred and sixty degrees from a portable holoimager, that was in the center of the meeting place. The man had red skin, big muscular arms with clawed hands, and single eye in the center of his head. “This is Keb Gall, a former solider turned mercenary. He’s the leader of a group of thugs-for-hire.” said metallic voice that came from portable holoimager. Dark Star’s tendrils may reach far and wide from the capital world of the Galactic Star Systems, Mars, to the frozen wastelands of Ket yor. “There is bounty on his head of sixty-thousand galactic Jeevans if he is brought in live and thirty-thousand if he’s brought in dead.” With that message disk popped out of the middle triode cylinder-shaped holoimager that had four L-shaped image inducers, one each side. Taav thought for second then spoke with insight that had made him leader Cybernetic Hunters. “This guy’s probably no dummy, he probably knows he’s being hunted, so he’ll avoid public places at all costs, and he will be heavily guarded. He will expect a bounty hunter or a squad of G.S.S. soldiers to come after him at night, since it will be cooler then. “We will need correct Intel on his whereabouts, how he’s guarded and armed. Another holographic image appeared from the holoimager. It was a detailed map of the place the Cybernetic Hunters where going to investigate. “This city is located twelve klicks from our current position. The image was of a high adobe-walled city. “From what intel has already been gathered by our spy network, this city is a major base of operations for Gall. I know what you all are thinking. Why can’t we just go in there guns blazing. My answer is that Gall’s men have hidden themselves amongst the innocent civilian populous. The information we have in front of us sketchy at best. We must move into the city to collect more intel. I’ll not accept civilian casualties; or any amounts of collateral damage, do I make myself clear? “Yes sir.” Taav stood looking at all of the Cybernetic Hunters with his green eyes. “Get some rest, the hunt begins tonight.” Rachael stood next, her brown hair had been pulled back, and until it was taught. Then it had been braided into something that resembled two strands of tightly woven pieces of stitch work. Each braid was twisted around each other like a double helix. The braids on each side of her head ran left or right or up and down. The hair between the braids was so stretched that a line, made by the unbraided part could be seen. “I’ll take first watch, Captain Sharroock.” Rachael looked at Taav. “Very good Captain Carlson” Taav nodded staring at his former girlfriend. She wore a hooded brownish-tan cloak. Tri-layered sleeves that ended in thick brown gloves, these sleeves were part of the undergarments the cloak was worn over. The shade provided by the Jaguar as well as the hood of her cloak, hid most of her face, except her blue eyes, and her ruby lips. “I was hoping you would remain with me Captain Sharroock, we have matters of jealously to discuss.” The others got to their feet, moving toward the Jaguar’s boarding ramp. As soon the rest of two squads had entered Taav’s ship, and the boarding ramp had been raised, the discussion began. “I have committed sin of lust, I curse the day your brother rapped me, and I know that you were emotionally distraught after we were forced to break up.” Taav looked away toward the horizon. “You’ve grown to know me better than I know myself.” Rachael walked over to Taav stepping in front him. “You were once my boyfriend and commanding officer. You gave the orders and I followed them. I showed you loyalty, giving my love. In return you were gracious; listening to anything had to say. I want to be your girl again, Taav, to stand at your side as your second-in-command. Taav mouth went dry. “I have a new love in my life, Rach. If the brass had only not punished me, by forcing me to abandon you, I would still be yours. Although, Jane my girlfriend now, I won’t abound her, just to be with you.” Rachael signed. “Jane is loyal, beautiful, and…” Rachael paused searching for the right words. “Unselfish toward other people.” “No matter what has happened, or will happen between us, always remember; that I still love you, and hope you and I will remain friends” Taav nodded. “Count on it. Simper Fi, Rach.” “You’re not a tad bit jealous?” Taav asked cocking an eyebrow. “Yes, although I try to put myself above such things.” Rachael answered. I can not change the past, the Bible also tells us, that dwelling on such negative emotions are things that will drive us to bitterness, and that we must unshackle ourselves from these emotions.” “I couldn’t have said it better myself.” Taav confirmed. Taav pivoted on his heal, and then walked the boarding ramp of his ship. Once on board Taav headed for his bunk, located just behind the Jaguar’s cockpit. Taav tossed and turned in his bunk. His heart raced as he thought about any number of things. His on going relationship with both Jane and the possible rekindling of Rachael’s relationship with him. If Aavor had done what he had Taav thought angrily. Rachael wouldn’t have been forced to reject me. Taav know he must distance himself from this way of thinking. NightHawk. That was the answer. NightHawk was one of the two hundred cars Taav owned. A 2006 jet black Ford GT. There it was. NightHawk. Much blood, sweat, and tears had gone into rebuilding, then adding to this American muscle car. Do to the fact that this vehicle ran on gasoline, and hydrogen, not gasoline was the main fuel source on Mars; modifications had been needed. “Need some help Captain?” Taav needed not to turn to recognize the voice. “Sure Mike, your help would be much appreciated.” Mike was a Muslim, he and Taav had been friends for years. Both boys tried to look at the threads of their lives at intersected, not the threads of their lives that did not mesh. They both were from Mars; Taav was from Valles Marineris, Mike was from Utopia Planitia, which now is part of Mars City. They trained (in boot camp, OCS, and special operations school) together. They both were involved in sports at Mars Academy. Taav was the quarterback of the Mars Academy Grizzlies, and Mike was a yell boy. Talk about religion was spoken of, but only when it was prudent to do so. “Captain?” Mike asked. “Mike, we’re alone rank is not necessary.” “Taav?” Mike corrected himself. Mike now stood at Taav’s side. “Do you ever feel uneasy around me?” Taav had Nighthawk’s hood up and was working on its engine. “Taav?” “I heard you Mike, and my answer is no.” “No what?” “No I don’t feel threatened by you in any way.” The cool night air felt frigid but it didn’t seem to affect any of the Cybernetic Hunters as they raced toward Delaga, due the fact that the Cybernetic Hunters were wearing brownish-tan hooded cloaks made from their leather jackets/armor that their nanobots had artificially softened and dyed. Beneath the layered cloth the Cybernetic Hunters armor still remained in its original form. Taav looked through his visored helmet at the starry night sky. Delaga is a small spaceport city, of a hundred thousand people. Just the kind of place a low life scum like this Keb Gall would try to hide. This mission is supposed to be a DA (Direct Action) mission. A direct action mission can include Tactical Recovery of Aircraft Personnel (TRAP), Gas/Oil Platform (GOPLAT) raids, Vessel/Board/Search/Seizures (VBSS) and other missions involving close quarter battle. Suddenly the holoscreen in between the handlebars of Taav’s modified CX-90 anti-magnetic field racing motorcycle activated. (A CX-90 is sci-fi version a street motorcycle.) It showed a column of military vehicles cruising over the sand on anti-magnetic fields. “Computer show our position relative to the position of that column of personal carriers and tanks” ordered Taav, pushing motorcycle to its limits as it hovered a foot off desert floor as Jane clung to him tighter. The holographic image changed from showing triangular-shaped armored personal carriers to an image of a map showing that the Cybernetic Hunters where only five minutes away. Don’t let yourselves get shot because these soldiers probably have EMP (electromagnetic pulse) rifles that could disable our nanobots, meaning we will not be able to regenerate, and then when you get shot you slowly bleed to death. This is how Zack was wounded. Suddenly high-powered plasma bolts tore through the air. Taav made the souped-up CX-90 fell on its right side at a sixty degree angle; the plasma bolts sizzled directly over them. As Taav righted his motorcycle he saw one transports, and depressing the fire button on the CX-90’s controls fired a volley of plasma fire from the CX-90’s twin plasma cannons mounted on both sides. The green lines of light struck under the main magnetic field engine. This caused the troop transport to take a nose dive into the sand. Then the sound of motion came from inside the downed craft. The Cybernetic Hunters brought their anti-magnetic field motorcycles to dead halt. Taav looked at the holoscreen puzzled. “The rest of the colu…” before Taav could finish his sentence a spiked fist punched through the ramp/door of the troop transport as still others began shredding the double armored obstacle in their way. “We need cover…our assault rifles are much more powerful than the plasma cannons on these CX’s” Taav exclaimed jumping off his bike and pointing his assault rifle at the troop carrier as he ran for the cover of some near by boulders. By now the thirty pumas-colored gargoyle-looking aliens let out horrid cry, then they took to the sky in groups of three. The air immediately filled with carefully aimed bolts of plasma fire. The first three yellow-eyed monsters had holes blow in their delicate wing membranes; they plummeted out of the sky like meteors from space. Seeing their comrades’ shot down by these sharpshooters the rest of demon-like aliens flew low so that the Cybernetic Hunters couldn’t get a lock on them. Unable to use their scoped rifles anymore the Cybernetic Hunters activated hydrogen powered anti-magnetic field belts they had been wearing. The winged creatures screamed a challenge, and the Cybernetic Hunters gave their own shouts and taunts. “Your mother’s so ugly when she looked in a mirror it broke” Taav laughed at one of the demons. Then the two groups of combatants faced off. The demon-like aliens struck first, they arrowed toward the seemingly unarmed recon marines with their pointed tails sticking out in front of them. They flew straight into Cybernetic Hunters defensive perimeter. Taav gripped the tail of one of the creatures that had come too close to him and pulled. With a loud wet tearing sound he separated the creature’s tail from its body. The creature screamed in pain, it turned around tried to flee, mustard yellow blood spurting from its wound. Taav; his reflexes honed by both his marine training and his cybernetic enhancements grabbed the creature by the neck, and then with one sharp twist its neck snapped like a twig. Meanwhile Rachael, her brown hair flying around her as if she was in a hurricane, was locked in mortal combat with one of the “hell’s angels.” She punched it in the head; its cranium split open from the blow, due to her cyberneticly enhanced strength, the hideous creature fell out of the star-lit sky like stone. Nikii threw a grenade at four on coming gargoyles, it exploded half way there cracking open their thick hides. Aiming her assault rifle she shot winging two more. Two of them came toward Jacorum, claws extended. He spun around whacking them with his four foot long spiked tail. Their heads smacked together knocking them unconscious. The rest flew off, afraid now that they would be killed. Out of nowhere came the Jaguar its weapons blazing. The Jaguar’s fifty millimeter machine cannon mowed the reminder of the gargoyles down like grass. “Everyone all right” yelled Taav. “We’re fine” answered the others. This aerial battle was a delaying maneuver…nothing more Taav thought. Those gargoyles must have been genetically engineered and they must be deployed as interceptors, as we have seen Taav heard his brother think. Dark Star will have the air around their base-city swarming with those things thought Rachael, Aavor looked at his girlfriend seeing her muscular six-foot two frame tense up as her deep blue flashed with cold fire. What do you want us to do Taav asked Jane using her nanothought- link. Retrieve one of the bodies and bring it to the Jaguar, so Taav and I can begin dissection, there has got to be a quicker way to kill these things Nikii thought. Nikii very carefully made an incision from the creature’s cranium to its sternum with his laser knife, and then he laid it down on the table. Reaching into the creature’s split open sternum Aavor pulled out a ball of muscle as big as his fist, holding close to his face as he studied it. “This creature’s heart looks like it has the same three chambered configuration as in reptiles and amphibians” Aavor exclaimed digging other hand deep creature’s chest cavity, moving it around until he found a weird-shaped organ. The square anti-magnetic field table which the lamb-sized creature laid got splashed with mustard yellow blood. “Reptilian/amphibian style lungs” Nikii said removing his blood soaked right hand from creature’s chest and placing the organs gently on a tray to her left. Gripping his laser knife from off the table again, Nikii made another incision along the creature’s crouch area. “This creature is asexual” commented Aavor, his left hand was empty and covered in the creature’s blood as he extracted it. “No ovaries or testis side by side, or any sign of sex organs for that matter.” Nikii judged. Taav sat on the lower right rack of the four bunk beds, which were built into the wall to conserve space in one of the Jaguar’s barracks, a short walk away from the Jaguar’s cockpit and main engineering. “What are you saying Nikii?” Taav asked, crossing his arms over his chest. Nikii turned locking eyes with Taav. _______________ Lucas Ammons This post was edited by Luke on Dec 02 2006 03:42pm. |
| Login and add your comment! |
| Comments |
|
Kenwan Obiobi - Student |
hmm |
|
Yoda - Student 
|
hmm..just thinking of how i can put this politely.
I think you went a little over-board with the adjectives.. Try and take some out so there is still some work for my imagination. What i mean is, when i read a story i like it to have quite abit of descriptive writing in it, but not too much. i like to have the jist of the story, but still want to imagine quite abit of it. I hope this helps, and im not saying its bad, just that there is too much description for my liking
Cya around, Jerry.  _______________ Need A Great Avatar Picture? Majno is sure to help out!! When 900 years old you are, look as good as me, you will not. - Yoda, Ep. VI. This comment was edited by Yoda on Nov 02 2006 12:53pm. |
| Login and add your comment! |