Another Bug Hunt - Chapter 1

Hud checks Belvedere's cam to make sure overwatch was set up outside of the command center before moving in. He takes point, not allowing a civ to do so. He wasn't thrilled they were all armed, but no one had flagged him yet with their weapon, so he figured they weren't completely clueless eggheads.

He clears the table with a practiced ease. All business.

He takes a closer look at the lead container, making sure not to touch it, to see if he can see any writing or symbols on it. He will also ask the Doc if she knows what it is. He then heads to the containment containers and eyeballs them to see what is floating inside. Again, he keeps a safe distance, approaching carefully.

+++ Command centre +++

Delaney gestures at the screen showing the garage and the hole. "I don't get it. I kinda assumed that these creatures dug there way in here when I first saw this, but that looks like something dug their way out. By the make up of it I don't think the hole was excatavted by the people here but by whatever the fuck these creatures are."

The others had moved out, so she rushed to catch up. Further secrets the command centre held would have to wait for now.

Feeling around the edge of the electronic key pad they found the ridge they were looking for. One quick flick with their gloves hands was enough, to open the slot. Taking a cable from their Portable computer terminal, they inserted it into the output and actived the machine. Computers and technology were less a hobby to them, like Zoology and more a necessity. Jobs out here often meant helping where you could rather than your one expert field. Not that they'd ever had a job quite like...

And with a click, the lock was released and the door opened. They felt one brief burst of pride, as they nodded at Hud, before their insides clutched and wrenched as he went through. Pulling the cable free, they placed the device back at their hip, and lifted the weapon up again. There was a logic of course in supplying them all with weapons. Who knew how hairy this could get? Then again, if things did start to go arse backwards, they would be way more useful stemming blood than they would pulling this trigger.

Moving with care, they stepped through the doorway, their eyes scanning, searching for anything of value. The fear was quashed down, as curiosity took over. They began by quickly examining the medical equipment, trying to work out what they would be used for, and if they looked like they might still be operational. Please they thought, please have a medscanner somewhere. This would be their primary focus.

Following this they took a long moment to examine the medical equipment fused together. Was it by heat? Or via some separate organic material? Hearing the sound of Hud's voice in their helmet, they moved over to stare intently at the lead container, trying to remember if they had ever seen its like or could guess its purpose? For holding something with radiation? Or something else toxic? Following Hud's lead, they didn't touch the specimen pods, though they give them a long look too. Could these be parts of the creatures? Part of the experiments they were doing?

The electronic door was coded to only allow Company medical staff through. Thankfully, Dearbhla has the correct credentials and it is relatively straightforward to upload them to the keypad and unlock it.

You move through the now open door. Your breath echoes in your sealed hazard suit. HUD quickly moves to clear the blind spots, and comes across an unusual object. Lying on the ground behind the surgical bed is a meter long severed crustacean-like limb, covered in thick black carapace with a pincer on the other end.




The lead container is labeled “Hydrofluoric Acid” with a litany of safety warnings beneath. There is a spout to dispense some as needed.

Dearbhla checks the medical equipment for anything usable. A large horizontal tube turns out to be a Litkovich MedPod 1080a. This is quite a popular device in far flung colonies, its protocols allowing comprehensive medical treatment to the person inside of it without the presence of a physician. It is broken, but you think you could repair it if you had a couple hours. An upright rectangle is a Sato T3 Bio-Printer. Also a useful device in the colonies, it prints synthetic biological materials. Its stem cell cartridges are empty, and similar to the MedPod it appears damaged but could be repaired if you had a few hours.

You check the fused together medical equipment on the ground, the corner of a medscanner poking out of it. You don’t know exactly what the substance is, gray and slightly sticky. You're able to scrape off a little bit of the substance, but objects embedded in it seem thoroughly encased. It would be interesting to evaluate this stuff further. Unfortunately, you don’t find any serviceable medical supplies.

The specimen containers are filled with a murky fluid. Floating inside each of the four containers you can make out the shape of some sort of creature, perhaps about a foot long with a round body and several spindly extremities.

Surf & Turf night for the birthday, apparently, thinks Hud as he eyeballs the crab-like pincer.

<<All>> "Got a first look at our enemy here - severed arm - looks like a giant black crab pincer, about a meter long. Thick chitin. Not sure if small caliber will penetrate it easily."

Almost immediately, the heaviness of Reba in his hands reassured him. The General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) or "GupMug" as it was colloquial referred to in the Corps, was his lifeline. More than once, it had proven to be the reason for his continued existence; so, he did what any normal grun would do: named it after his grandma who also happened to be the reason for his existence.

And like his grandma, god rest her soul, his GupMug was sweet when she was quiet, but could get real mean real fast.

While Dearbhla poked around the medical equipment, he grabbed the lead container.

<<All>> "Got another container of Hydrochloric Acid here. I got an idea."

He radios for the Doc to come assist him and tells him the plan to test the acid on the pincer. Assuming she doesn't heavily protest, and under her guidance of how to best proceed, he does just that.

Speaking aloud through the comms channel, Dearbhla gave the lowdown to the rest of their team.

<<All>> "We've got no medical supplies, and most of the equipment is encased in something. My suspicion is that might be something from the creatures, like insects use to build their nests. There are two devices only slightly damaged. A med pod, which could fix up someone inside, and a Bio Printer, which could create synthetic materials. A few hours on both and I could have them working again."

They left this information just hanging there. It wasn't going to be their choice about next actions. Just like when they'd been a junior, their job right now was just to supply information and Hud could decide tactics.

At his call, they hurried over and stared again with fascinated interest at the singular limb.
<<Hud>> "Its a logical theory, and definetely one we should test just in case."

They thought about it, their slightly elevated heartbeat now only a sign of their excitement of discovery.
<<Hud>> "There's a chance this limb might flail or respond reflexively. If you keep your eye on it I can try dripping the acid on it a little bit at a time to see if its able to pierce its exoskeleton. Best we keep a reasonable distance. If it does look like it might cut us you can shoot it."

Delaney exhaled. Stress, frustration, anger, fear at the situation she was in. She felt it was more than time to lay their hands on the table (she was keen to get out of here), despite them only being here for a short while. "What the fuck!" she looked at the big claw on the floor. "Look, eveyone is dead here." she stated the obvious. "They had alot of people down here and everyone is dead. Why the fuck aren't we getting the rest of the team down here, or lets get out of here and let the company know the colony is fucked, right. We've done our job?" she asked hopefully while looking around for movements in the shadows that weren't there, clearly nervous.

Hud looked over at Delaney as she spoke into the comms to everyone. His immediate response was to dress her down for acting like a child, as he would have done with one of his Marines, but he reminded himself that she was right. She was a civilian in what seemed to be a very active combat zone.

He took a breath and channeled over to her.

<<Delaney>> "Listen, I get that you're scared. I get it. You'd be fucked in the head to feel any other way. But you can't let that fear win - especially not on our open comms. Because that shit is contagious. Now take some breaths and level out. We don't know that everyone is dead and we owe it to any survivors to at least try and find them. Marines don't leave each other behind."

He waited a moment for that to sink in. "If you want to go back, you have my blessing. But we still have a job to do here - fucked colony or not. And if it comes to needing to bug out quick with any gear on station, I would very much like to have you by our side."

He takes a step toward her and places a hand on her shoulder gently. "Now tell me straight, are you good?"

If she wasn't, he'd opt to lock her in here with the doc and help getting these machines up and running should they need them.

Dearbhla looked over from the counter, where they had just been about to lift up the container of acid with both hands. Their gun was slung back around their waist, which in Dearbhla's opinion was really the best place for it. With their hands free they could help, whereas with that in their hands they were must making up the numbers. Just like Delaney. Without anything to do, and just following the marines about, of course fear was going to set in. It was poor pop psychology but it works for me, they thought. We need to keep busy.

<<All>> "Delaney right?" They looked over at the other figure in her suit. Things would be so much easier if you could see peoples faces.
"You've probably got a lot more experience than I do judging machine repairs. Could you take a look at those two and see if you'd be quicker repairing them? I can assist of course. Also, the medical equipment, thats all covered by that substance. You any ideas of how we might clear it off? There's a medscanner in there I'd do all manner of dirty disgusting things to get my hands on."

She started to speak over open comms again "I'm..." before realising what Hud was saying and what she was about to do again so switched to <<Hud>> "I'm sorry." she was a little blushed on the cheeks, perhaps embarrassed it was hard to tell through the hazard suit visor. "I'm err... not at all trained for this." She glances at the fucking great alien crab claw thing and shudders "not at all prepared for what we've found here. But if you think I'm going to wait back at the drop ship on my own you've got another thing coming. Yeah, we're good."

She gave a silent cheer for Dearbhla for the distraction. Focusing on something was good as took her mind from all the scary shit going on. "Yeah, sure. I'll take a look." she shuffled off head a little down and while she worked she tried to not look at the big crab claw.

Taking a screw driver from her tool belt she removes the back cover off the Med Pod device and takes a look at the internal workings. At least to her it looked damaged beyond her skill to repair it would at least take more time that it was worth at the moment. Shaking her head "There're some critically damaged parts, I'd perhaps need a day. Sorry Doc I can't do anything with this at the moment." Delaney then moves onto the Med Printer, she uses her tools to remove a loose component which she gives a shake and then a couple of firm blows to remove any dust (a well known technique) and then refitted it more securely. "I just needed a few more tweeks, an hour for this if we need this?"

Delaney’s appraisal is fairly accurate. The Bio Printer is not too badly damaged internally. It would take a little bit more time to fully clean it out and get it fully functional, but it’s a quick fix as far as these things go. The Medpod is much worse off, but still not a total loss. Working together you should be able to get it operational again, but it would take an entire shift and then some.

The two devices needed more time to fix and for now she moved onto more pressing matters, the requested review of the equipment covered in the gray substance, she tested it out with a screw driver and found it to be sticky. She frowned as she poked it and pulled away with strings of slime pooling off the screw driver that reminded her of a particullary cheesy slice of pizza. She wiped the ooze off the sole of her boot. "Looks grose." Delaney clearly didn't want to get her hands messy.

Taking the container of acid, you position yourselves on the far side of the overturned bed from the claw. Taking great care, you open the container of acid and splash a small amount onto the claw. The acid spits and hisses as it makes contact with the floor and the alien limb. It was wise of you to stand behind the table, as the limb beings spasming reflexively. It lashes out violently and randomly, striking the table and putting a deep gouge into it. Soon, the little remaining life is gone from the claw and the acid continues its work. Smoke rises from the burn causes by the hydrofluoric acid. It has eaten straight through the hard carapace to reveal pink-gray flesh underneath.

Well son of a bitch. The acid ate through it with ease. This was the first bit of good intel they had had since arriving.

<<Mara>> "The Hydrochloric Acid eats through the chitin like a hot dick through butter. We need to double back and get our hands on the other bottle before advancing. Additionally, what're your thoughts on leaving a group back to get the machinery up and running? Civs might be deadweight if we move on and it gets hot. Might be better to leave them here with one of ours and proceed."

Mara always had a good head on her shoulders. He was eager to know what she thought.

<<All>> "The acid works wonders on the chitin of the bugs here. Anyone have any bright ideas on how to weaponize it or make it at least sprayable? Atlas, Doc, Delaney?" The eggheads were going to be their best bet making this stuff more effective than just throwing the bottle.

<<Hud>>"Test the acid on that weird goo too. Once we've cleared the facility, we should try other ways of damaging the chitin, including shooting it if we can find a relatively sound proof space. I'd really like to not have to rely on any of us competently handling acid.  I for one prefer my acid in the form of blotter paper or suger cubes."

She mulls Hud's question thinking about what they have left to clear. They had made their way through the better part of the facility without injury or loss of life infection remains to be seen, and the med bay was in reasonable proximity to the barracks; if something went wrong in either area, back up could be readily provided.

<<Hud>>"I'm interested in getting that equipment working so long as they don't run any machines without knowing exactly the fuck they'll do when powered up. So yeah to leaving 'em some protection.  There's fast and there's safe:

Fast: one with the civvies, two to get the acid, and three for the barracks. The duo can split up when they get back to the medbay. One stays with the civvies for a two count, and the other to the barracks to bring it up to four.  Safe: Two with the civvies, four to retrieve the acid before going to the barracks."

<<All>>"Testing different dilutions of the acid to know how far we can stretch it out would be good. That and turning a couple of gloves that won't melt from the acid into the dumbest water balloons in existence." She had a passing thought of setting a bucket over a door and getting a creature to come through it like in a kids' show, but that was the type of trap that would kill someone who forgot about it in their panic to get away from a threat.

Underneath their helmet, Dearbhla smiled. Part of this was due to being proved correct about the spasming limb. The limbs of all creatures were liable for a certain amount of death post mortem, some due to a release of chemicals stored in nerve endings, or due to a build of gases. In humans for instance, these tended to be more like twitches. The violence of the action produced in this claw pointed to the strength of the muscle fibres. Fascinating. Was this limb typical in size, or did they come much larger? Dearbhla suddenly wished they'd measured the gash they'd seen as they'd entered this complex. Memory suggested it was much larger.

Conversation through their helmets radio, brought them out of their brief reverie. Looking over at Delaney they nodded their head in thanks.
<<All>> "Thank you for looking at those. I'm glad to have someone of your expertise here."

Looking over at Hud they continued after listening to the talk on the acid.
<<All>> "Weaponizing the acid sounds like an excellent idea as it clearly hurts them. In terms of a spray, we would need something along the line of a gas cannister, we could try and fashion something with the acid to. Otherwise we would need to gather a collection of glasses/ cans, anything we could store the acid into and then maybe they could be crude weapons we could throw or fashion as traps? Or pour down on them as they tried to enter an area? Further experiments on how diluted we can make it and still have it be effective is a good idea as well. I could start diluting it with the water in the med bay if I can find some containers to put it in."

There were a lot of jobs to do. Useful yes to keep busy, but they would need to prioritise their energies best. Careful, a voice whispered in the back of their head, you're getting too relaxed. This isnt your normal critical care centre.
<<All>> "As Delaney has assessed, the Bio Printer will take an hour to get working again, but without some stem cells we can't print anything. The Medpod will take much longer, but in my mind is more important, at least in terms of stabilising people should we start to suffer injuries."

They looked back to Hud.
<All>> "Your choice on how best to split our energies, but I'd propose Delaney start to work on the Medpod, while I see about starting to dilute some of the acid and testing it further on the claw. Or I could join Delaney and see about repairing it quicker."

While waiting for his response, they gave the room a quick scan again, looking for possible receptacles that acid might be stored in.

<<Mara>> "God, I love your brain. Speed isn't a necessity. Let's go safe."

He clicked over to the all frequency.

<<All>> "OK, listen up. Castillo and Kimura, you're in the medbay with Atlas, Doc, and Delaney. Lock it up tight and stay put until we get back. Belvedere, Lamontagne-Singh, Schmidt and myself are going to head back to get the other hydrochloric acid. Maybe some curly fries too."

He turns to Dearbhla and Delaney, with a nod of OK to the doc: "Agreed. Get to work on the equipment. Doc, test some of the acid on the goo as well. Let's get as much intel on what we're dealing with here as possible. Hold tight and we'll be right back."

After ensuring that Castillo and Kimura had the room secured, Hud meets up in the hallway with Belvedere, Mara, and Schmidt. He puts Schmidt on point and Belvedere in the rear with he and Mara in the mid section.

You split up, half the party remaining in the medbay and half the party proceeding in tight formation back towards the freezer. You proceed quickly but cautiously, the dim emergency lighting does little to ease your jumpy nerves. As you turn the corner and head back into the commissary, Belvedere pauses for a moment. “Wait, do you hear that?” There is silence in the hallway.

Dearbhla nodded back as Hud gave the command and then turned their attention back to the lead container. Moving carefully, they moved it over to where the fused mess of equipment were all covered in the alien material. Behind them, the doors closed and there was the unmistakable sound of the locking mechanism in place. They were used to being left behind, the nature of these kinda patchwork jobs, had different people looking after their specialties. Not everyone explored. And they hadn't been left alone in here either which was good. Still though, the sound of a lock always carried that little essence of fear. Either you were being kept in. Or something kept out.

<<Delaney>> "Sound of a lock like that always makes me feel I've done something naughty. Hud must have come across my search history."

Lifting the lead container again, they took care to be standing back from the congealed equipment and carefully dropped a few drips down on the material covering it, paying close attention to the effects. The medical scanner was so attractive, but it could well be damaged beyond repair. Their efforts will be to see if the acid can clear the material and if so, if the medical scanner looks repairable at all.

Following this, Dearbhla closed and secured the lead container and then explored the room looking for suitable receptacles to store acid in. From what they remembered from some of their classes, a non polar one such as plastic would be best. Assuming they can find some, they will start to gather them next to the sink to partially fill with water.

<<Delaney>> "Feel free to tell me to shut up if you prefer to work in silence, but my parents always said I could talk the rear end off a donkey. What's your story? Why'd you sign up for this job?"

The tetrad of marines stop, weapons at the ready.  After a moment of futile listening, Mara signals to Belvedere. "Description and direction?"

She is aware of the madness component of whatever is going on here, but lacks the information to make the determination of exceptionally good hearing versus auditory hallucinations.

Risks abound either way.

His answer along with whatever happened in the next few moments could be a useful differentiator.

Hud inwardly cursed. Belvedere was seasoned enough to give more details than that vague bullshit. Especially in a situation like this.

Mara had reacted quicker and better than he would have. No plan survived first contact with the enemy, and even during the hottest firefights, comms discipline was always maintained. Shooting in the background didn't stop the best Marines from talking in a clear, calm manner.

Mara was a damn good Marine.

<<Marines>> "Maintain overwatch and keep your firelanes open." He also awaited something more from Belvedere and made sure to check his mounted cam in the the heads-up-display inside his helmet.

Hud's HUD.

Might have to yell at them soon, Granny he said in his head to "Reba" in his hands.

Belvedere gestures vaguely back down the unexplored hallway. “The thumping noise stopped.” Sure enough, whatever caused that sound has stopped.

+++++

In the medbay, Dearblha manages to find a few containable suitable for holding the volatile substance. Working carefully, she is able to pour a small amount around the medscanner. It sputters and pops, filling the small medbay with acrid smoke. However, she is able to extract the device with minimal damage. Not the prettiest, still mostly covered in hardened gray goo, but serviceable.

As Delaney goes about her tasks, she pauses in surprise. There is an air vent you had not noticed before near the operating table and alien limb. For just a second, you’re positive you saw a human face looking from between the slats.

Hud sends back an acknowledgement and signals the group to carry on. There was nothing they could do about it now and they still needed as much of the acid as they can get their hands on.

Nitafrong wrote:

<<Delaney>> "Sound of a lock like that always makes me feel I've done something naughty. Hud must have come across my search history."

Giving an appreciative smile at the levity, she then shrugs with a worried look and glances up at the vent which was another access point.
<<Dearbhla>> "Safe from the things with the big claws at least, but not from those small bugs."

Delaney tinkered away trying to repair the med gear. She'd not worked on this grade type of equipment before but she was smart enough to figure it out.

Nitafrong wrote:

<<Delaney>> "Feel free to tell me to shut up if you prefer to work in silence, but my parents always said I could talk the rear end off a donkey. What's your story? Why'd you sign up for this job?"

She looked up at the question and paused from her work for a moment. "I certainly didn't sign up for this shit, but." the smile she gives is warmer than before "I love to fly much to my parents dismay who hoped I'd become a surgeon. Not sure I can describe it but..." she thought for a moment there were a bunch of reasons but what it came down to was "I like to have a lot of power between my legs. Give's me a real buzz. Interplanetary craft or a big lifter. Err... if you get me?" she then looked a little embarrassed, was she over sharing. Perhaps but the the stress of the situation made the human contact welcome. Cheeks blushing she looked back down at her work.

The vent bugged her, they were not entirely secure from the smaller aliens. While they worked she glanced up at the vent numerous times and when she did see face, the whites of the eyes mainly at first pass she just looked back down and then took double take. Nothing. "Hey!" Delaney exclaims as she scrambles up onto a bench the vent overlooks, hope in her eyes that someone had survived this place. Tiptoeing she shines her torch into the vent and takes a peek.

Carnelian wrote:

"I certainly didn't sign up for this shit, but." the smile she gives is warmer than before "I love to fly much to my parents dismay who hoped I'd become a surgeon. Not sure I can describe it but..." she thought for a moment there were a bunch of reasons but what it came down to was "I like to have a lot of power between my legs. Give's me a real buzz. Interplanetary craft or a big lifter. Err... if you get me?" she then looked a little embarrassed, was she over sharing. Perhaps but the the stress of the situation made the human contact welcome. Cheeks blushing she looked back down at her work.

Bent over the medscanner they were freeing, Dearbhla looked back over their shoulder and gave Delaney a broad grin.
<< Delaney>> "I think its in parents lots to be disappointed. I became a surgeon and mine can't understand what I'm doing out here. They want me settled down somewhere and popping out a few sprogs. I tried to talk them through pronouns one night and it all got a bit nasty. I find though if I can send back a photo or two with a handsome man they relax a bit. They've never been able to understand why anyone would want to leave home."

They noted the blush and made sure to nod back in agreement. This was definitely a much more interesting conversation than they'd been expecting, but high pressured situations tended to forge closeness.
<< Delaney>> "Oh yeah I get you, thought I've not experienced exactly that before. You make it sound..." For a few seconds, Dearbhla's mind was conjuring images, their eyes sparkling and a glow to their cheeks.
"Maybe when we are off this rock and somewhere much safer you can show me? Just to see what it feels like."

Finally getting the medscanner free, Dearbhla held it above their head in triumph. Finally. If they were allowed back out of here, they would be able to scan some of the victims and start understanding what really was happening here. They were just going to start diluting some of the acid, when they noticed Delaney moving over to the vent.

Carnelian wrote:

"Hey!" Delaney exclaims as she scrambles up onto a bench the vent overlooks, hope in her eyes that someone had survived this place. Tiptoeing she shines her torch into the vent and takes a peek.

<<Delaney>> "Did you see something? A person?"

She wouldn't have gone over there by herself if it had been anything else. Not when there were two marines still in this room with them. Still though, it was worth it to be careful.
<<All>> "We might have human movement in the vents into the medbay. Delaney's seen something."

<<All>> "Copy," Hud clicked back with a practiced precision. Maybe whoever was doing the thumping was now navigating through the vents. He hoped it was the case... and he really hoped this was a survivor.

"Kimura, Schmidt - cover the civs and see what's what. If it's a survivor - quarantine them in that medbay. Take no chances. If it starts even smelling like crab, blow it away."

He was mostly joking on that last bit.

...mostly.

Delaney climbs up on top of a bench and shines her light down the vent. The marines in the medbay both fix their pulse rifles on the vent from behind her. She's not in the safest position, should they open fire.

The vent is large, but empty.

Its certainly large enough for someone to fit through. It makes a sharp turn to the left only a few feet in, cutting off your line of sight. Did the person move back behind the corner?



Listen.



Delaney hears the sound of something scurrying away from them further down the vent. Dearblha isn't close enough to hear it, but its definitely there.

You're sure that smudge on the far wall is a human hand print, you're sure of it.

+++++

Hud and Mara retrieve the other flask of acid and quickly hurry back to the medbay. They will be back shortly, unless anyone does something particularly rash.

Just a quick peek, she ducked back immediately but then looked again when she saw the vent was empty. The second time though as she looked more carefully; a hand print smeared onto the side and then a noise as something moved away. She was sure she saw a face... "Hello?" she asked into the vent then glanced back to Dearbhla "Someone was there, I'm sure of it. I can hear something moving away. The vent cuts to the left only a short way back."

Delaney looked back into the vent. She understood how fucking scared she felt and they'd only been here a short while, to be stuck here for months?!. "Hello" she echoed again "Its ok, we can get you out of here." which she was fully signed up for.

Unless someone else had any brilliant ideas to relay to him, Hud is content to re-digitally lock the freezer door and head back.

A feeling of relief came through Dearbhla as they heard Delaney say the words someone. They were right.   Not that a person couldn't be a problem, but when faced with the kind of creatures that could do the damage they'd witnessed, humans should band together. This person might also be a witness. The surgeons heart started to beat a little quicker as excitement coursed though them. Actual information about the xenos, what they would be able to learn... It was a moment or two that they returned to earth or rather the remains of the medbay. The survivor had likely gone through some intense trauma not only in what they had witnessed but in being forced to hide alone, in dire fear of their life. They had a duty of care too.

This was a dilemma they could balance later. Looking back they saw the two marines, weapons raised, and up against a wall as such was Delaney. Between their guns and possible danger. And yet they couldn't leave her, or whoever the survivor was. Taking a deep breath, Dearbhla stepped forward and joined Delaney at the vent.
<<All>> "Good eyes Delaney. Gods below, I didn't expect a survivor. I can't imagine what they've gone through. The limited evidence we've seen would suggest that if they are infected what the others have suffered would have already occured, but we can't be completely sure. We need to get them out of here, but we have to be careful too. At least until I've given them a scan with this."

Looking up towards the tunnel, they called out, using their best beside manner. Confident, but also compassionate.
"Hello, my name is Dearbhla, but you can call me doc. We've been sent here to help you. You've been so brave to survive this. Can you please come around the corner so we can see eachother? We've food and some big strong people who'll help us get out of here."

You shine your lights down the vent and call out. Nothing responds. You listen closely for the scurrying sound in the vent but hear nothing. Perhaps Delaney imagined it. But surely something left that handprint. If it is indeed a handprint, maybe it’s simply your light reflecting strangely.

Mara, HUD, and the rest of the marines have rejoined the team by now.

"Well the bad news is that they were out of curly fries," she quips dryly."The worse news is that with someone in the vent, we cannot consider any area to be fully cleared even after we finish the sweep."

<<Hud>>"If there are survivors and they are hostile, I'm thinking containment unless they force our hand, yeah?" Having marines kill civilians and/or other marines was bad for morale.


***Text box in Handbook for the Management of Security Staff V3.5 - DRAFT UNDER EMBARGO:
When acclimatising Security Staff to increasing degrees of necessary and sufficient force directed towards non-security staff and/or security staff in breach of contract, acute changes in morale must be monitored. It is well known that decreases in morale can lead to further contract breaches. A lesser known fact is that while a strong increase in positive morale correlates with greater acceptance of the use of necessary and sufficient force, it has also correlated with an increase in communications costs for crisis PR services. Consider impact on global budget in risk matrix when scaling use of necessary and sufficient force.***

As Hud, Mara and the rest of the marines re-entered the room, Dearbhla gave them a nod. There was a comfort in having the whole group together, a feeling though they tried to steel themselves against. It was likely that there was going to be separation on this mission. There'd be some jobs the marines wouldn't want civilians slowing them down for. The same as if they had to set up a triage area.

The current situation though required some thought. They hadn't seen any evidence directly themselves but Delaney seemed reliable so they were inclined to trust her. Which meant that yes, the area wasn't secured, but also there was possibly a survivor alone and afraid in the vents. Why hadn't they responded to their calls? Fear yes, but also possibly insanity, or worse. As much as they did have a duty to care, that extended to everyone here, and if they put themselves in danger it could harm others too.

Turning to look at Mara, Dearbhla pondered,
<<All>> "My preference would be to help get whoever is in there out. They might be able to tell us something, as well as us being able to help them. We don't know their suffering. The fact that they aren't responding could be a danger to us or it could simply be a justifiable fear based on what we've seen. However, the devices that Delaney has started to repair are here and cannot be moved easily. I'd suggest blocking up this side, to secure this med bay, and perhaps try to tempt the person out elsewhere. The fact that there is a human in there makes it unlikely that the Xenos have access, but not impossible. We need to make sure of our own oxygen before we help others."

As far as Mara is concerned, their suffering is only relevant insofar as it might affect their ability to provide reliable information, or make them a threat.

<<All>>"Making sure of our own oxygen in this case means blocking this side and securing the med bay as you suggest. It also includes whoever is in the vents being considered as hostile until and unless proven otherwise." Anticipating the doctor's concern (whether correctly or not, only Dearbhla would know), Mara adds "I am not suggesting that we shoot on sight; only that complacency would be... imprudent." Besides which, if they shoot on sight and the vent lurker is Dr Edem, they would have a hell of a time explaining why their priority target was lost to friendly fire.

<<All>>"Do you want to leave a written message before blocking this side?"

The irony hits as soon as she says it aloud; having just specified that it would be best to considered their visitor as hostile, here she is suggesting that they become penpals. Mara bites back a retraction of the idea with a wry smile to herself.

Dearbhla's eyebrows had raised, and they'd just repeated the word
<<All>> "Hostile.." in question before Mara went on to elaborate.

They took a moment to breathe and consider the situation and the marines words. There was an expression that they'd heard many times in surgeries where medics and soldiers mixed. Soldiers only know how to kill, up to us to save them. Depending on the speaker, this could be a throwaway line, a deliberative provocation, or a tired axiom from those too surrounded by death. Some religious medics had appropriated it in their own way too. They didn't like set phrases personally, people never fit well into boxes.

Looking over at the marine, Dearbhla nodded their head.
<<All>> "What you describe is sensible and prudent. We have no idea if there is a infection element to this or not. And until we can be sure that someone is safe, I wouldn't vouch for complacency. Talk, test, treat. If its not on, its not on."

They lifted up the partially covered med scanner to show the others.
<<All>> "Note's probably a good idea. Do we want to point them back the other direction? I managed to dig this out as well. Whenever it suits, I'd be interested in scanning some of the soldiers out there to see if we can learn some more about how they died, and if there is an infection element to this."

Hud deferred entirely to Mara here. Her thoughts were exactly his in this case. He nodded as Dearbhla's logic seemed to lock in with theirs.

<<All>> "As of right now, everyone in this facility other than us is considered potentially hostile and/or infected. Until we know otherwise, that is how it will be. That means strict quarantine when/where we can for any survivors. At the very least, no rushing in to treat wounds until we have a clearer picture of what's going on. Can't risk losing you, Doc."

He gestures back out to the hallway. "Now, we've got a compound to clear. Vents make that tricky, but we need to get eyes and sitrep on all of these rooms. That's what we are doing next. The vents also compromise your work here, so we aren't leaving you behind to deal with potential creepy crawlies roaming the air ducts. We need to move together until we have a clearer picture."

"Same pattern as before, grunts. I want two on point and two on rearguard, cameras at both ends. Civs in the middle. Let's move like we have a purpose."

You fall into formation and advance cautiously back down the hallway. You pass the command center and continue onward. This time as you retrace your steps, you remain cognizant of the duct-work running along the ceiling. Closed vents poke out at regular intervals, but no faces stare back at you from them this time. Reaching the end of the hallway, you find yourselves at a T-junction. To your right is an airlock door, adorned with another bloody hand print on. To your left is another long hallway ending in a door. About halfway down, a passageway branches off. At that intersection, an industrial blast door lies on the floor, apparently torn from its hinges.

Knowing that the garage was to their right beyond the airlock, and that aside from the huge hole in the ground was sealed off, Hud gives the motion to move left. They needed to clear what was most likely the barracks and living quarters.

<<All>> "Take us left and stay reeeaaallllyyy frosty where that blast door got taken out. Anything comes at you with an attitude, light them up and fall back."

The Marines on point would know to stick to cover and light up anything that even looked remotely hostile.