Psychennuin

Prologue

Zero City. Nightmare metropolis of the twenty-second century. The world of 2191 is harsh and uncompromising. Man has been forced to live together in huge colonies, Zero city being one of the largest, situated in North West America. Some people would say that this idea of man living together is ideal. Some though, would call it hell.

Let us examine Zero City. It has a population of one hundred and nine million. The inhabitants of this city are descendants of the original survivors of the holocaust of 2022. These survivors came from the North of the United States and the United Kingdom.

People live in towering apartment blocks, most taller than five hundred metres. The rich few can afford the luxurious penthouse suites, whilst most have cramped habitation units. The poor have nowhere.

Eighty three percent of the population is unemployed due to mass automation. However this means social security is considerably higher. Most families survive on this money, provided in the form of credits.

Credits are simply a unit of measure which is recorded on a credcard. Credcards keep track of how much money the owner has. To perform transactions, a lightpen is passes over one card, it then stores the required amount in it’s memory. This amount can be placed in another card by passing the pen over the card.

With the high unemployment, leisure is an important part of a citizens life. Television has been replaced with TriVid. TriVid is three dimensional television. It projects a 3D image into the room, so you can be right in the action.

Sport is popular too. Death sports have replaced football and the like, the most popular being Aeroball (c), a game played by teams of crazed psychopaths. They where spiky armour and attempt to score goals using any means possible. Aeroball(c) players last, on average, one point four games.

The current music trend is technofunk. It is played using digital instruments to create a whirling maelstrom of electronic noises. The more cultured people prefer classical music of two hundred years ago, the greatest composers are Anthrax, Metallica, Megadeth and Faith No More. Listeners of these musicians are considered as being ‘Fuds’, derived from the term ‘Fuddy Duddy’.

People travel each day in Trays. Trays are cars which hover above the ground by magnetic levitation. The forward drive is provided by Vector(c) engines which achieve, on average, three hundred and fifty kilometres an hour. They have a stopping distance of two micrometers and can corner at any speed. This makes road accidents a rarity.

Moving on to healthcare, the most notable thing is the appearence of advanced cybernetics. You can add almost anything to your body. A few examples are below:

Head— Enhanced senses, weapon targeting systems, memory upgrades, computer jacks.

Body— Respiratory lungs, stronger hearts, hardened carapace under skin.

Limbs- Muscle enhancements, quicker limbs, built in weaponry, jumping legs.

The drawback of cybernetics is that everytime you add a piece of cyberware, you lose part of your humanity. If you employ too many pieces of cyberware, you enter a state known as ‘Cybernetically induced psychosis’ or more commonly

CYBERPSYCHO!

The suspended animation freezers that were set up in the twentieth centuries have been shut down because of population problems. Only a few geniuses have been restored but some of them have ended up with complete memory block out.

The modern crime techniques have reduced crime to a minimum, causing the police force to drastically reduce in size (though it’s now called the Judicial departement.) However for special operations, important crimes etc. a highly trained team of men and women known as Sanctioned Operatives are hired by the Governing Council. They are a secret force, and on paper they don’t exist.

The Governing Council itself is a unit of thirteen men and women who control Zero City. They have been genetically engineered to be fair and just.

So far, space exploration has been a waste. No intelligent life has been found and most believe none exists.

Tonight they shall be proved wrong...

Straight out of hell,

One of a kind.

Stalking his victim,

Don’t look behind you,

Night crawler!

Beware the beast in black.

Night crawler!

You know he’s coming back.

- Judas Priest.

Chapter 1

Tanner surveyed his surroundings. He was in a large room, circular, with an upturned table in the centre. The walls were sparse and grey, crumbling plas-crete showing through the flaking paint. It was cold and quiet, deathly quiet.

The gun in his hand was warm still, the only warmth in this empty room. His cybernetic eye scanned the area, the enhanced vision showing every detail.

The silence was suddenly broken by soft footsteps from one of the passages opposite. Tanner instinctively dropped to one knee, pulling back into the darkness. The footsteps were clearer now as someone entered the room. His Uzi was cocked, the safety of f and his eye was tracking for viable targets.

He homed in on the figure’s face, and lowered his weapon. “For Chrissake Kin, I was ready to shoot you!” he said exasperated, “Why aren’t you conducting your sweep in D—Sector?”

“Oh I finished there;” replied Kin, “What took you so long to finish yours?”

“Arrogance is not a helpful quality.

“Anyway those Holo-punks were no match. You’d think GO would test us a bit more.,, she said running her fingers through her long black hair.

“Where’s Paul by the way?” said Tanner.

“Last time I saw him, he was heading for Utilities.” she answered.

“Well it’s about time we finished.”

“I could bring up his tracker on that decking station down the corridor.”

“You techies have got an answer for everything.”

“Damn right we have!” she said happilly.

Kiri approached the blank screen, removing the arcon decking keyboard from her utility bag. The grey keys enticed her as always. She pulled a black lead from her belt and connected the keyboard to the terminal. She took a second lead and plugged it first into the computer then into the socket in her scalp. The screen flickered into life as her elegant fingers passed delicately over the keys like fairies on stepping stones. Kiri was vaguely aware of Tanner standing behind her, watching the screen.

Her soul was now racing along the computer network, everytime a security restrictor came up, a battle was fought in her mind; she won easily, it was a simple network. The familiar thrill of electo-spiritual conjunction filled her.

Tanner was aware of none of this as all he saw were maps and diagrams flicking in rapid succession on the screen. One map was suddenly decided upon. Kiri relaxed a little and studied the glowing green plan. The red dot representing Paul was in B-block.

Kiri felt the satisfaction of a job well done when something that felt like a speeding CargoTrav hit her. The screen went white and Kiri collapsed. Tanner frantically pulled all the leads out, cursing all techies and their inventions. He lifted her limp unconscious form and splashed some water from a puddle into her face. It ran in grey rivulets down her face which had been emptied of colour, her lips ashen.

“What happened?” he demanded, shaking her gently. “Strong psychic shock,” she said exhausted, “It caused a white out. I could’ve been killed.”

“A white out?” said Tanner puzzled.

“Total blanking out of the spirit. It’s thanks to you that I’m alive Tanner.” she said, her resolve crumbling as she started sobbing.

--------------------

The next day, the three sanctioned operatives were assembled in control centre. They were in briefing section sitting or lounging on the furniture. Tanner sat on the desk dressed in blue jeans and a synthetic leather jacket, his blond crewcut short as ever. He was currently listening to classical music on his walkman which was tucked in his wallet. Paul was sitting on a polyform chair dresses in black trousers and a Psychofunk T—shirt. He was smoking a cigarette, no tobacco, no tar or so claimed the pack. Kiri was leaning against the wall tapping on one of her many keypads.

Paul leaned over to Tanner and tapped him, Tanner turned slowly “What ya got in there Tanner?”

“Metallica. Master Of Puppets.”

“You’re listening to classical music?” he asked disgusted. “It’s a lot better than the crud you listen to today!” “Yeah sure. When that was written you still needed five members of the band!”

“Actually Metallica only used four.” he stated matter of factly. “Four! That’s just as bad! I bet...”

Paul was cut of f by the entrance of Willis. “Okay people settle down. Tanner get your hand off Paul’s throat.” he hesitated. “Okay yesterdays little game was good. Kiri you got eighty percent hit rate, Paul eighty four, Tanner ninety two.”

Tanner smiled at Paul arrogantly.

“Okay. Now we’ve identified the source of the psychic shock which Kiri felt. We found a young girl dead by the side of the building. Take at look at this.” Willis activated the TriVid with a remote control and they all settled back. “This is a computer representation of the girl before death. Name is Sarah Hollans, age fifteen cause of death unknown. This is her after death.” They all gasped in horror. The girls abdomen had been ripped open completely and a hollow cavity was all that remained. All of the intestines had gone and there was no blood to be seen. “What makes it worse is that she was ripped from the inside out. Forensic say that for something to eat a hole that big it would have to be the size of a human baby. Now do you believe that she could have her baby eat her?”

“Was she actually pregnant at the time?” asked Tanner. “Forensic say she wasn’t.”

“Holy Jeesus,” muttered Paul.

“Anyway your all on active duty as of now. This is your case and you’ve got control. We don’t know what it could be at all.” “Will we be armed?” asked Tanner, “I don’t want to go up against whatever got her with a zoggin’ pea shooter.”

“Yeah you can go to armoury and get what you like, but no heavy stuff.”

At the armoury the large steel doors opened automatically as the three ran their cards through the security slot. With a hydraulic hiss they revealed the stockpiles of weaponry. Tanner entered first and began searching along the submachine gun rack. Kiri pulled a Browning Streetpower pistol with laser sighting from it’s case. She selected two twenty round general purpose magazines and one flechette magazine. The magazine clicked smoothly as she slotted it into the gun. Paul pulled a M4lA SMG from its rack and took four magazines of seven millimetre caseless rounds. Tanner decided on his old favourite, the Uzi eleven millimetre

As they left the armoury Willis joined them, “Not got a pistol Tanner?”

“No just this,” he replied lifting an antique 1988 .44 Magnum. “Where the hell did you get that. That’s not standard issue.” “Family heirloom.”

“Where do we start then?” enquired Kin.

“We could go and check out the area were the murder was committed.” suggested Paul.

“Good a place as any.” agreed Tanner.

“Lets haul out then.”

The three Operatives made their way to the Tray Port. Willis issued them with the start code for a modern Tray. Tanner brought the vehicle onto the road and felt the power build up as the Vector engines kicked into life. They tore down the street like a jet down a runway joining the fast stream of traffic on the wide street. Within five minutes they were at the scene of the first murder, the place where they had the practice the other day. They pulled the Tray up next to the building and got out to see what awaited.

He’s seeing,

He’s calling.

His legacy is spawning,

He’s coning, corrupting.

Among the living!

- Anthrax.

Chapter 2

Mary Smithers was walking home. The dark alley was littered with rubbish, covering the ground like a patch-work quilt. She pulled her coat further round her shoulders and lit a cigarette. She walked onwards taking occasional puffs. A man was leaning against the wall. As Mary passed him he spoke, “I see you’re smoking, got a light?”

“Yeah sure I...”

She never finished. The man began to change horrifically. His face seemed to melt, features running into one another. His hands became clawed, his arms stretching to his knees. His back hunched and a hardened carapace broke through his coat, leaving it tattered on the floor. His bestial face turned to look at hers, rows of sharp teeth reflecting in the moonlight. Mary stopped screaming. His eyes burned into her soul, transfixing her to him. Mary knew no more as the world became black.

--------------------

Tanner left the Tray and approached the scene. Several forensics were scanning the ground for evidence. Tanner entered one of the four med—wagons and showed his pass to the guard.

“What’ve you got?” Tanner asked the medic inside.

“Erm cause of death still unknown, most probably a vicious knife attack.”

“Bullsh*t.”

“I know but it’s the best we can get. It so weird.”

“Okay, I’m going for a look outside.

Tanner met Kiri and Paul outside. They looked over the scene. The medics had cleaned just about everything up. Tanner was studying some forensics reports when an excited voice broke the near silence.

“Holy Jeesus. Look at this!”

Tanner and Paul rushed round the corner where the voiced had come from. A young medic was holding a disgusting something up with the end of his pen. It was like discarded skin, purple in colour but coated in mucus. It was about a foot square, but an irregular shape.

“What in hell is that?” asked Paul.

“You tell me. I only work here.” replied the medic.

A senior medic placed it in an evidence bag and recorded it on the case computer. “ I don’t know what it is so don’t ask,” he said.

“I don’t think anyone does,” replied Tanner.

--------------------

The next day Tanner received the report.

Subject:	Abdominal deaths case
Date:	28/5/91
Command:	Willis, J
Events in connection:	Death (susp. Homicide)of Sarah Hollans (15) Cause of death unknown.
Forensics:	Most probable cause of death is a knife attack. No traces of consumption of corrosives. Time of death 2041h 26/5/91
Ballistics:	For a bullet wound it was too clean and an exceptionally large round must have been used (15mm+).
Summary:	Sarah has most probably died of a knife attack. However, due to strange circumstances Sanctioned Operatives shall resume investigation.

Tanner tore the sheet from his home printer. It was puzzling. The object that had been found yesterday was identified as shed animal skin. However no animal match could be found so the authorities were trying to ignore that it existed so as not to create a scene. It had even been left out of the report.

--------------------

On the other side of Zero city, Mary Smithers was shocked. Her health machine that she had installed was running a scan on her, when it calmly told her that she was pregnant. Mary was astounded. She hadn’t slept with a man in months so why did it say this. It must be on the blink she thought. Well cyberdine systems can refund her the fifteen thousand creds that she had paid. She left the machine calmly...

Surprise!

You’re dead!

Guess what.

It never ends!

- Faith No More.

Chapter3

“Cyberpsyco!”

The words rang through Tanner’s mind alarmingly. He rushed to the shopping mall where the killings had been reported. As he ran he cocked his Uzi and flicked the safety off. Kiri was footsteps behind, ramming a magazine into her pistol.

They stopped outside the entrance to the mall. Luminous electronic fibres lit up the dazzling sign as the automatic doors slid open. Tanner entered first; his bionic eye scanning for targets, all was strangely silent. Kiri and Paul followed next. Paul’s sharp hearing caught out the sound of screams a few floors up so they proceeded to the lift.

They entered the gravlift and within seconds they stood on the top floor. People were running around hysterically, children and adults alike crying. The sound of automatic gunfire cut over the screams.

As the people rushed past them they saw the cause of the terror. Outside a food shop, a man dressed in army fatigues stood alone amidst several bodies. He was gibbering madly and firing rounds from the assault rifle that he clutched menacingly. He span round and fired a burst at Tanner. Instantly Tanner hit the deck and the shots ricocheted of the walls. The three operatives ducked back round the corner.

As the man approached, Paul rolled out narrowly missing a burst of automatic fire. He levelled his gun as he rolled and squeezed of a well aimed burst which hit the man in the chest. The shot would have killed a normal man; the cyberpsyco just fell down.

Tanner and Kiri approached as the cyborg began to sit up. They knew the drill: You can’t reason or bargain with Cyberpsychos, you have to destroy them. They were more machine than man now.

Tanner kicked the mans hand viscously which sent his rifle skittering across the floor. He was about to finish him when a hatch opened on the cyborg’s forearm revealing a three barrelled gun which popped up. Its three barrels spun, spitting fire, catching Tanner in the leg. Tanner fell down clutching the wound as blood ran through his fingers.

Paul fired a burst which ripped open the Cyborg’s torso, followed by a sharp report from Kin’s pistol which blew away half his face revealing a metallic skull beneath. Convinced he was dead she turned to treat Tanner who sat nursing his leg.

As she bent over Tanner grabbed at his belt and drew the long magnum pistol. She was brought to her senses as Tannnen shouted “Duck!”

She threw herself onto the floor as the boom of Tanners gun filled the mall. The shot flew over her body into the rising cybong. The shot exploded in his chest, tearing the ribcage apart to reveal more circuitry.

The man writhed spasmodically as flickers of blue electricity danced across his chest like demons on a sea of blood. Paul fired a round home and he was still.

--------------------

The next day they were assembled in operations. Willis was already there and he began the meeting with an update. “The current situation is this. Forensics have announced that the ‘skin’ found three weeks ago at Sarah’s death fits no known creature. A few representations have been done of what the creature may be.”

Willis flicked the remote and the TriVid came to life. The first idea was of a slug about two feet long with small outgrowing arms. It had bland, dark eyes and it was a purple colour. The next was more like a lizard than anything else and was ignored by the operatives. The third resembled a caterpillar with legs that sprouted from the skin arid moved erratically. The fourth was basically a blob, that seemed as if the designer had finished hurriedly.

Tanner was very sceptical of all this. The city was weird enough without purple monsters running around the streets. Still one more weird thing couldn’t make much of a difference. Or could it?

Now the world has gone,

I’m just one.

Hold my breath,

As I Wish for death.

- Metallica.

Chapter 4

Mary Smithers groaned. Agonised she rolled onto the floor, clutching her stomach. The pains had lasted for a month now. She retched convulsively onto her colour change carpet sending the program haywire as the stomach acids burnt into the optical fibres. Her contorted abdomen shifted and burst open in a gush of red. In her last breath she caught sight of a purple demon rising from her body.

The newly born skittered on two small feat leaving a trail of blood behind it. It dashed into the kitchen and was gone.

--------------------

Brad answered the com—link. “Uh huh?”

“Judicial officer Traven, please investigate disturbances at hab unit six four two, Gygax apartments.”

“On my way.”

Brad entered the building trying his best to look imposing in his blue grey uniform. He entered the lift and selected the appropriate floor. When he arrived, he walked apprehensively down the corridor.

He stopped outside six four two. Strange, the door was open. Cautiously he entered, flicking the safety of his pistol at the same time.

The silent apartment was in ruin. The colour carpet flashed from one colour to another like a mad chameleon. Some one lay with her back to him on the floor. When he saw that she wasn’t breathing he ran to her side. He pulled her over and stared at her body. A huge hole was in her abdomen and blood soaked his fingers. He turned round and vomited into the porta-bin.

He staggered backwards horrified and sat down trying to catch his breath. He clutched his pistol tight, trying to comfort himself.

Suddenly a purple flash was emitted from behind the bed. Brad rolled over screaming and the creature missed him. He span round to face it, hyperventilating, but it was gone.

He stood up and switched the laser sights on his gun on. He stepped carefully into the next room looking all around. He was in a utility room crammed with labour saving devices. All was silent.

To his left something fell and clattered onto the floor. He turned quickly and held his gun out in the firing position. Sweat rolled down his forehead and stung his eyes.

Something moved nearby and he frantically fired into the shelves. The bang filled the room and sent the creature tumbling from its hiding place. He fired downwards at it and missed. The creature started for him and he fired again. The creature leaped for his face and he caught it in his hands. He held the squirming thing away from his face and threw it into the far wall.

He ran back into the living room and spoke into his corn-link, “Officer needs back up. Gygax apartment six four two. I.. .“

He was cut off as the creature hit his chest. Brad screamed and tried to pull him off as it bit into his chest. The pain was excruciating. Frantically he beat at it with his hands. The creature leapt at his face and began to gouge his eyes with sharp teeth. Sharp claws went upwards into his brain and everything went black.

--------------------

“Sanctioned Operatives please assist officer in difficulties, six four two Gygax block.”

“Will do,” answered Tanner.

The three operatives made their way to the apartment with weapons drawn. Tanner entered first, his magnum drawn. The others followed. In the centre of the room, an officer lay dead with some parasite feeding of him.

“Get of f him you piece of ****!“ commanded Tanner.

The creature turned and bounded at him, Tanner fired, knocking it backwards. Paul fired a burst to finish it.

Kiri was checking the bodies whilst Paul and Tanner looked at the creature.

“What is it?” asked Paul.

“Don’t know.”

“I’m calling forensics and medtech.”

“Yeah sure thing.”

Tanner looked back at the creature. Well maybe one more weird thing could make a difference.

No more Mr Nice Guy!

Me, a nice guy?

No way!

- Megadeth.

Chapter 5

“Well, what is it?”

Tanner was on the brink of exploding. Willis fumbled through his sheets and announced, “Forensics and bio research have come to the following conclusion:” he cleared his throat, “The creature(s) involved in the deaths of Sarah Hollans, and more recently Mary Smithers fit no known animal group. The remains of the creature found at the apartment is still being examined. However it is now known that these creatures adopt living human, female, hosts for their young. How they impregnate is unknown.

“And?” asked Tanner.

“That’s it so far.”

“The bloody miracles of modern technology.” said Tanner sarcastically.

“This is an unknown lifeform for christ sake Tanner. You just try and keep that in mind.” he paused, “Anyway you’re to resume investigations. This threat must be eliminated. The public safety must be maintained.”

“Any eye witnesses yet?” asked Paul.

“Yes, strangely enough, a bald man has been reported as being at the scene of the first death.”

“Has this been confirmed?” asked Kin.

“Only two claim to have seen him.”

“Oh well, maybe he got tired of mans best friend and decided to get a psychotic purple alien instead.” said Paul.

“Which needs bed, water and a fresh human each week to impregnate.” added Tanner.

“Anyway, continue investigations.” finished Willis as he left.

“Where now?” asked Paul.

“Don’t know, any suggestions?” replied Kin.

“Well I don’t know,” said Tanner, “We could just wait and see what turns up.”

“Fine by me. Paul?”

“Yeah, I suppose.”

--------------------

Amanda Fleetway lay dead. The newly born skittered across the bathroom floor. Priority one: Food.

1120 hours. Tanner was awakened from his state of semi sleep by the beep of the vid phone. Slowly, he walked over to it and pressed the answer button. The screen flickered into life and a form showed up on it, It must have been dark there for nothing could be made out of the blur on the screen.

“Yeah?” asked Tanner.

“If you want information on the death of the two women meet me at the base of the Livingstone flyover, tomorrow, nine thirty.” The voice was thin, piercing and sounded like a razor.

“Yeah. Who is this? How did you know I was on this. What...”

He was cut of f by the screen going dark. The info display showed that the caller had removed his call card. Tanner played the message back and noted the location and time. He then called Kiri and Paul to tell them of the breakthrough.

--------------------

“Miss Fleetway?”

Dan sighed and reached for his universal key. They ought to tell him if they were going out so he could clean their apartment. The door sprung open and Dan entered with the remote cleaning machine following him. He sat down and set the machine to vacuum the floor.

He had begun smoking a cigarette when it appeared. It filled the bathroom doorway and stood at least five foot tall. It was hunched with a hardened carapace covering its back. With a hiss it’s mouth opened revealing rows of sharp teeth. Long arms, four of them, protruded from it’s body each arm tipped with three huge claws.

Dan was paralysed with fear as it began to move. It moved slowly at first, then it bent down and sprang.

At the last moment, Dan rolled out of the way. The creature leapt right over him onto the bed. Dan turned and ran for the door, but he was too slow. A large claw smashed straight through the back of his head, leaving a red smear on the door. The creature, now matured, bent down and eat.

--------------------

Tanner raced to the Tray where Kiri already waited. They headed for the block at which Amanda lived and went at full speed. Soon their enemies would be dying...

Kill ‘em all!

- Metallica.

Chapter 6

They stopped at the doorway. Tanner drew his Uzi and entered a fresh clip into the gun. Kiri produced a small keypad from one of her many pouches. With a flick of a switch a small screen emerged from the main body of the device. The screen glowed green and Kiri tapped staccato instructions into the machine. Paul leaned over her, “What is it?”

“Bio Scanner.” she replied nonchalantly, thoroughly engrossed in the device.

“Oh yeah? What does it do?”

“It’s scanning for life forms. If there’s anything alive in there then it’ll come up on screen.”

“Any luck?”

“Wait a minute, yes! Two life forms, one faint though, recently dead or badly injured.”

“Let’s go in then!” said Tanner.

“Wait, the definite one is at the back of the apartment, possibly in a different room, this thing don’t pick up walls.”

“Okay, I’ll take point.” said Tanner.

Tanner’s eye began the process of target scan, a small green cross hair came up in the centre of his field of vision; if he pulled the trigger the shots would hit there. As he move the gun from side to side, the cross hairs followed in flawless tandem. He reached for the door handle and tried it.

“Locked?” asked Paul.

“Uh huh.”

“Wait a minute, I’ve got this...” began Kin.

Kiri was cut off in mid—sentence by the crash of Tanner’s foot knocking the door off the securi hinges and into the apartment beyond.

“Tanner your methods of stealth and silence astound me.” said Kin.

“Worked didn’t it?”

“Yeah but,” she hesitated, “Oh what’s the use?”

Tanner stepped cautiously onto the fallen door and into the apartment. The readout from his cybernetic eye told him that he had fifty rounds left and no targets had yet to be sighted. The others followed after.

“Tanner something’s coming!” exclaimed Kiri glancing at her Bio scanner and a door in the far wall alternately. “Where?” asked Tanner.

“There,” she said pointing at the door, “It’s coming forward, slowly.”

Tanner jumped to the coffee table and knocked it on its’ side, crunching an expensive telecommunications unit in the process, to form a makeshift barricade. He knelt behind it and Kiri followed suit. Paul positioned himself behind a large chair and raised his M4lA. Kiri activated the laser sights on her Browning Streetpower and a red dot appeared on the wall, she brought it round to rest on the door.

Without any warning the door exploded under a horrendous assault of teeth and claws. The creature burst through in a maelstrom of fury, its armoured purple form filling the doorway.

Tanner fired first. The burst was true and the rounds embedded themselves in the creatures body. Paul’s shot opened a cavity in the chest revealing a dark blackened maze of internal organs. Kin’s shot ricocheted of f the hardened carapace into the ceiling.

The creature sprang for the table. It veered towards Tanner in mid air and looked set to land on him. Tanner rolled onto his back though, and brought his foot up sending the demon thing over his head and into a TriVid. The projection unit shattered sending fragments of glass onto the floor. The creature was up again in an instant however, and charged at Tanner and Kin. A claw sent Kiri reeling as it opened a gaping wound in her arm. Tanner took the brunt of the attack though, and was sent down to the floor with the creature on top of him.

Tanner stared into the face of death.

Frantically he grasped the creatures neck and attempted to hold its’ gaping maw from his face. His eyes met the creature’s and he was transfixed, he felt himself at one with the creature, he was a friend and...

“NO!” Tanner shouted breaking the creatures hypnotic gaze. The creature hissed annoyingly. Willing up all his strength, Tanner took one hand of the creatures neck and attempted to hold it away. He reached downward and felt the cold steel of the magnum at his belt. He drew it but he had to return his hand to the creatures neck. The magnum was now at his side on the floor.

He reached down inside himself and found an inner reserve of strength. He released the other arm this time and brought his arm across his body and caught hold of the heavy pistol. He lifted it and with his other arm flung the hideous being from his body. As the creature landed Tanner got to his feet and raised the gun.

The creature charged again. As it reached Tanner he brought his arm around its’ neck and threw it down to the ground. He then brought his foot down onto the side of its’ neck and fired.

The shot went straight into the things head, blowing its’ skull apart. Tanner fired again and again and kept doing so until Paul grabbed his arm, It’s dead.”

“Dan right it’s dead,” said Tanner, and finally stopped firing, “How’s Kin?”

“She’ll live.”

With that they left.

--------------------

“Psychennuin?” asked Tanner.

“That’s what research have decided to call it.”

“Oh great, well done research.”

“It’s their decision and not for us to question.”

Tanner sat down muttering. The rest of the meeting proceded in much the same way with no real purpose. Afterwards Tanner went for a psych scan.

He was lead through to medlab by two juniors in white coats and was instructed to stay in the plain waiting room. After twenty minutes he was called for an examination.

He was instructed to sit in a reclining chair and electrodes and various other objects were stuck to him. A display unit on the wall was showing his pulse, blood pressure, E.C.M. What the hell is E.C.H.? He asked himself as he drifted into sleep.

Tanner was fighting another Psychennuin. He had no weapons and was losing. Large chunks were being torn out of his body and blood flowed freely. He found himself staring at those eyes again, burning into his soul, he couldn’t fight back, no resistance. All went black.

The Medics on duty were alarmed. His pulse and blood pressure had dropped and his E.C.M (External Coma Monitor, a measure of the likelihood of the patient lapsing into a coma,) was high. Frantically they shut down the machines and removed the anesphetizer. After a bit of face slapping, Tanner came round.

“What the hell?” asked Tanner.

"You were lapsing into a coma,” one medic informed him, “We had to wake you.”

“Jesus.”

“Quite. I must inform Doctor Honnes.”

As the medic left, Tanner thought about this, a coma! That’s the nearest he had ever been to dying. After contemplating this he looked at his watch. Before the medic could stop him he was running out the complex. He was almost late for his appointment with the man who tipped him off.

Ride the Lightening.

- Metallica.

Chapter 7

The under—pass was deserted. Tanner left the Tray and paced slowly into the gloom. It was dark and cold, just like death thought Tanner ironically. There was no sign of the informer. Unexpectedly a piercing voice cut through the darkness, “You’re late.”

Tanner instinctively followed the voice to its source. A tall man dressed in a grey raincoat and hat was leaning against the wall.

“Sorry but I almost inconveniently died five minutes ago.” “You amuse me.”

“Quite. Now, what do you want with me?”

“Come here, Tanner isn’t it?”

Tanner approached him carefully. They were face to face. If the two were animals, Tanner would be a stalking panther, the other a man a venomous snake. Tanner regarded him with immense distrust, there was something in his eyes which suggested darker intentions.

“Now Mr Tanner, business.”

“Are you some sort of expert on rampaging creatures?”

“No. I am say, an observer.”

“Fine.”

“I could be of immense help to you, if it wasn’t for two things.” “What now? Money? Judicial immunity?”

“No,” he waved his hand in disgust, “The two reasons are: one, I am of the brood,”

“What the hell?”

“And two, you are dead!”

Tanner snapped into action. He grabbed the mans neck knocking his hat to the ground. No hair showed underneath.

The bald man!

Tanner was brought to his senses as pain lanced through his body. A slim knife had glanced off the side of his rib cage, opening a clean wound. Tanner drew in a sharp intake of breath. He regained himself and punched the man hard on the side of the head. He felt grim satisfaction as the mans jawbone cracked under the blow, sending him down to the floor. He approached the prone body cautiously, it was an old trick to play dead. He stopped a metre from the man. He reached for his belt and drew his combat knife, its mono-molecular edge glinting in the moon light.

Suddenly the man sprang up knocking Tanner to the ground. Tanner threw him away and jumped up again, grimacing from the earlier wound. He circled the other man waiting for him to make a move. Then it happened.

Tanner ducked as the man leapt at him. He fell about a metre from Tanner who lengthened the distance by jumping back. He held his knife by its blade and hurled it with precision accuracy at the mans throat. The knife spun in mid air before burying itself in his neck. Blood showered the underpass and Tanner as his jugular was split open. Tanner stood back and watched his body convulse in its death throes.

When he had finished. Tanner went to retreive his knife. He pulled it from his neck and wiped it on the mans coat. He jumped back repulsively as the mans body began to change. The human form seemed to melt and twist as it turned purple and assumed the form of a Psychennuin. The hardened carapace appeared and the teeth lengthened. It was still dead however, a gaping wound in the neck.

Tanner called base on his com—unit. It was going to be a long night.

--------------------

“What the hell do you think you were playing at?” screamed Willis.

“I was late for a tip off.”

“You nearly lapsed into a coma according to the medics.” “Well I didn’t though.”

“That’s not the point. In future you always remain in medlab until instructed to leave. You’ve got another examination today. Two o clock.”

“Look I don’t need it I...”

“You go to that examination wether you like it or not. Now moving onto other matters, the current thesis on the Psychennuin is that they can metamorph into a human form at will. Due to eye witness reports it is assumed that this will be a tall, bald man with piercing eyes.”

“Anything else?” asked Paul.

“No. Resume investigations.”

He left in a flurry of sheets and reports. Tanner turned to his friends and explained the other nights events.

“No ****?“ asked Paul. “It’s the truth.” “Jesus. This gets weirder everyday.” “Damn right.” replied Kin.” “What now?”

“Don’t know.” replied Tanner.

The following day a statement was issued to the public. It read:

The Governing Council wishes to assure the public that the fifteen deaths in the area (it was nearer fifty) are from a vicous murder in the area. He is reported to be bald with piercing eyes. Do not approach this man. He is dangerous, just call the Judicials.

Tanner burst out laughing at this. No talk of the aliens. Just this ******** about the bald man. Paul and Kiri thought the same.

The blood runs red

- Mind Funk.

Chapter 8

Things took up a great deal that day. Tanner had been released from medlab and no longer suffered the risks of lapsing into a stroke. Kin’s arm wound had healed and a lead had been discovered.

“It’s a rumour, nothing more,” she told them,”But it appears that a man fitting the description of the accused has been renting an apartment in V sector.”

“How do you know?” asked Paul inquisitively.”

“A friend of a friend told me.”

“Does he or she know you’re an Op?” asked Tanner. “No. And there are reports of disturbances at the apartment.” “What like?” asked Tanner.

“Check this: Screaming, screeching, moaning and chanting.” “Some sort of cult?” suggested Paul.

“Lets find out.” said Tanner.

In ten minutes they were there. The apartment was empty. The inside was horrific. Blood had been daubed on the walls and gross hieroglyphics and crude drawings had been formed. The furniture had been ripped apart and not one item was free of hieroglyphics or in one piece. The bathroom and the kitchen revealed two female bodies, both with the abdomen torn out and in addition, lumps of flesh hacked from the corpse. Paul was the first to speak:

“What the **** is all this?”

“God knows but it could be, like you say, a cult of some kind.” replied Tanner.

“Look at this,” said Kiri pointing to a crude drawing in blood on the wall, “This is the city here. And this is the undercity. In this area of the undercity the word brood is written and this large red human heart.”

“Wait a minute, “ interrupted Tanner, “When I mat that guy, he said that he was of the brood. No prizes for guessing what’s down there.”

“Lets go down and kick some then!” exclaimed Paul.

“******* A!” shouted Tanner.

“Hold a minute,” said Kin. “There are three reasons why you can’t go down there.”

“Don’t spoil it for us Kin.” said Tanner.

“One,” she began ignoring Tanner completely, “You have to report this finding or Willis will bust your ass.”

“Well whoopee ******* do!” said Paul.

“Two, you don’t have the firepower to take out a hole nest of Psychennuin. And three, you don’t have a permit to go into undercity.”

“She’s gotta point.” admitted Paul.

“Well yeah, but once we report this to Willis, we go down and kick some serious ass.”

“Fine Tanner now to Operations?” replied Kin.

--------------------

“No!” shouted Willis.

“Why not?” asked Tanner.

“You are asking me Tanner, for permission to go into undercity and blow the **** out of anything that moves, and as an added bonus, you get yourselves killed in the process. No way!” “It’ll be a step forward. We’ll be eliminating the threat to the public.”

“It’ll be a step towards your death!”

“We can handle it.” explained Kin.

“Maybe if I got military help...” said Willis, “Yeah I could always put in an order for a squad of marines.”

“Oh don’t get the marines in on this.” said Paul.

“Why not?” asked Wills?”

“They’ll just charge in; gung ho, kick ass and wreck the whole thing.”

“And were you going to do anything different?” asked Willis with the faintest traces of a smile on his normally emotionless face. “Well no but I mean, we’ve got experience in dealing with these things.”

“Experience in getting your asses kicked. Right I am gonna see if we can get some military aid, especially if I can get Special Forces in on it.

That settled the meeting. The three operatives went on and Willis put in an order for military aid. He was not too successful. One squad of marines. One squad of marines! He was really gonna do a lot with that. Still it is better than nothing he thought.

--------------------

“Boys,” Willis was beaming, “And girls,” he added noticing Kin’s hurt look,” I want you to meet your new comrades. Squad one of the Ravenwing Marines detachment.”

Eight men and two women stood or sat on ammo crates and made no attempt to salute or stand to attention as the operatives approached them. Lieutenant Vorhees took of his hat and called them to attention which they did promptly.

“Okay people.” Vorhees’ voice was grim and authoritarian, “Listen Up. We have got special duties with these Ops. You refer to them as Sir or Maam as appropriate. You treat them as having the equivalent rank of Captain. Anyone object to that?”

No—one spoke but Tanner could see them objecting with their eyes. Tough hombres he thought.

“Now people. Mr Willis has information for you which I suggest you heed or your asses will be bust quickly.”

“Okay,” began Willis,” the creatures we are dealing have been assigned the name of Psychennuin. Ther are mainly two points about Psychennuin: One, never go into close combat with one, they will annihilate you,” he could see some of the marines looking sceptical about this point,” The second is never to meet their gaze. In case you haven’t been told they implant embryos psychically. This only really aplies to females but it can cause blackouts and even increase the chance of comas.

The marines let out forced laughs and gasps. Tanner looked at them and smiled.

It was time to get kickin’.

We care a lot!

About you people,

We care a lot!

About your guns,

We care a lot!

About the wars we’re fighting,

Gee that looks like fun!

- Faith No More.

Chapter 9

The marines began prehand mission preparation. Assault rifles were awakened from their sleep in dusty cases, armour was checked for warps and cracks. Grenades slipped into utility pouches, motion trackers had their sensors cleaned. Ammunition clips were slammed into guns and grenade launchers were stacked with high explosive grenades. Combat fatigues replaced the casual overalls that the marines had worn previously and the men and women were transformed from jovial pals to the like of hardened killers. These marines had one sole duty in life, to kill things. They all enjoyed their work.

By the time the checks had been finished the marines stood at rigid attention with their weapons clutched tightly across their chests. Two carried long machine guns which were held by gyro-stabilised mounts that fitted snugly into their armour, to the machine gun operators the gun was just an extension of their body.

Lieutenant Vorhees approached the squad with the operatives following. Tanner walked at his side, his Uzi had been granted the addition of a thirty millimetre grenade launcher to its underside. Kiri and Paul walked behind. Paul had replaced his SMG with a Heckler and Koch combat shotgun, which he carried casually over his shoulder. Vorhees began the final brief: “Okay marines. This is the op. We are entering under city via an electrical access duct. Its time to remember your urban combat training as you will be fighting in tight terrain. Because of the dangerous nature of these creatures and the element of uncertainty about them we will be conducting all movement in defensive,” he stressed the defensive,”I want the two smartgun operators on the flanks, Tellic, Keifer and Freidman up front. Jackson, Daye and Benante covering our tails. The rest of you have standard combat positions. Now Sergeant Apone will direct you to the service duct, move it people!”

“Okay you heard the man and you know the drill! Assholes and elbows.” commanded Apone which strangely seemed to make the marines more cheerful.

Ten minutes later the squad was assembled at the service duct. The steel door was slid back and Freidman dropped down first, followed by Tellic and Keifer. The rest of the squad made their way down into the darkness along with the three operatives. Powerful torches on mounts by the sides of the marines helmets illuminated a second city that few had ever seen. It was a maze of pipelines, machinery, air ducts, tunnels and cables. Their was a mild hum from the machinery that was just loud enough to be irritating, but not annoying.

Tanner began to move forward and before he new it he was up with the point man at the nose of the squad. No one exchanged words as they progressed into the labyrinth. Tellic held out a motion tracker and activated it immediately. Sonar echoes pinged from its body and into the darkness. At present nothing registered on the blue illuminated screen.

They continued on for several minutes before the motion tracker bleeped. Tellic’s eyes flicked down towards the screen and began to dictate the readouts, “Two objects. Thirty metres. Closing.”

The marines and the operatives began to prepare for combat. Two men scouted to the left and right and the large group split into three strike units for optimum combat efficiency. Tellic quickly reported that the two on the screen had been joined by another.

“Fifteen metres!”

“What the hell? I can’t see them!” shouted Decks.

“Up!” screamed Tanner as he rolled backwards firing as a Psychennuin leapt from a heat exchanger. The shots deflected harmlessly of f the creatures carapace. However the chatter of three of the marines assault rifles ended the threat. On the left flank a second Psychennuin had been dealt with by a burst from the machine gun. The third Psychennuin was spotted by Apone who expertly drilled a hole in the beings forehead.

The marines regrouped and the boasting began immediately of how amazing each one was in gun combat. The dispute was quickly settled Apone who ordered everyone to shut up.

“Okay,” said Vorhees, “I don’t think these will pose to much of a problem for us. In fact these Psychennuin don’t seem to be as dangerous as you report.” -

“Yes well you haven’t been charged by one in close combat or had to attack one with a measly pistol.” retorted Kin.

That remark seemed to shut Vorhees up and he did not speak until they entered the cavern.

The cavern had once been a storage area for machinery that would have cluttered up valuable space on the surface. It now resembled nothing human. A greyish resin had coated the interior and the cavern resembled a great beasts stomach. The resin was melting in places and fell as a sticky liquid onto the marines below.

“Jesus Christ!” said Freidman.

“What the **** is all this?” asked Jackson, not expecting an answer.

“You ever see anything like this?” asked Vorhees.

“No.” replied Paul. Vorhees looked at Tanner and Kiri but they shook their heads as well.

--------------------

In the darkness and cool of the many twists and turns of the cavern roof, something awoke. Warmth, it sensed, body warmth. A feast for the brood and the more suitable would be selected for mothers of the new born. Time to awake.

A psychic message was echoed around the cavern. To the psychennuin this was in the range of a call to war. The humans below heard nothing.

Armoured forms detached themselves from niches, claws dripping with the resin were extended. The walls were moving and the marines had only just found out.

--------------------

“Movement!” shouted Tellic.

“Where?” was Vorhees’ reply.

“Err, can’t lock in. Movement in all directions.”

“Speak to me Tellic!”

“Fifteen metres.”

There was a scream as Corporal Jones went down under a flailing mass of claw and flesh. The marines all turned to look at him exposing themselves to attack. The room plunged into chaos. There were screams and shouts as people and died and the deep throaty chatter of the machine guns mimicked by the higher voice of the rifles. Tanner pumped a grenade into the launcher and fired it into the ceiling where it exploded sending more creatures to their dooms and illuminating the scene of horror before him. The Psychennuin were all over the place. A few marines could be picked out: Freidman helping the wounded Jackson up firing at the same time; Apone standing near Kiri and pumping grenades; Chavez with her machine gun cutting a swathe of destruction amongst the creatures. She looked out of control, if she was though, they would already be dead.

Apone’s voice cut through the din, “Move out people now! Lay down a blanket of grenades so they can’t follow us back. Now!”

No one needed any elaboration. They all fell back filling their previous places with grenades. They got to the door and piled out. Tanner and Freidman tried to close the huge steel doors manually. They had about a foot between the two doors when a Psychennuin rammed its gross head through the gap.

“Eat this!” Paul said as he obligingly shoved his combat shotgun between the things jaws and pulled the trigger. There was a muffled bang as the back of the creatures head exploded, showering his fellows with his own blood.

Tanner and Freidman slammed the doors shut. Tanner dropped the metal beam that usually held the door shut and Freidman produced a portable hand welder and began to seal the door. Jackson, still wounded did likewise.

They made their way back to a service room that they had seen on the way and slammed the door shut. Apone started the conversation, “I’ve been in the marines twenty years now and that beats the **** out of anything I’ve ever seen.”

“It aint fair man,” began Jackson, “the Lieutenant, Keifer, Teppic all gone.”

They all nodded in solemn agreement before Tanner started with, “The question is what do we do now?”

“Standard practice would be to radio to Operations and ask for assistance.” said Apone.

“Tried it yet?” asked Kin.

“The radio signal wont penetrate.”

“I thought military corn units were so good they could operate under water, this undercity shouldn’t pose too much of a problem.”

“It’s not that. It’s this resin that these psychennuin have produced. I haven’t seen anything like that.”

“We could try to make it to the entrance.” suggested Freidman. “What with those things running around out there? We don’t stand a chance four marines and three Ops.” replied Jackson.

“It’s our only chance!” shouted Azarel. She rarely got angry in a combat situation, usually happier. She wanted a gun in her hands and something to kill and it was getting to her.

“We need to get back without those ******* seeing us.” said Tanner, “We could try and go along some air ducts or something.” “We would never find our way out, it would be like a maze.” said Apone.

“I could try and get a plan up on that unit there,” said Kiri pointing to an industrial computer that would have been used by some of the few maintenance workers who were employed in undercity work, “wouldn’t take a minute.”

Kiri set to work on producing the diagrams whilst the others pooled ammunition and then redistributed it. Apone opened a box of emergency grenades and distributed them amongst the others. Perimeter alarms were placed around the passages leading to the room and the motion trackers showed no sign of an attack. They reasoned that the door must be holding against the inhuman strength of the creatures.

Kiri let out a yelp of triumph as she brought the plans up on screen. It was printed out instantly and they looked at it with earnest.

It showed an access tunnel that lead across undercity crossing with all the major tubes and links. It went all the way to where they needed to go. They left quickly...

Exit light,

Enter night.

Take my hand,

We’re of f to never—never land.

- Metallica.

Chapter10

Silence. But not for long. It was shattered as Apone trod heavily into the dark void of the pipe. His armoured boots clanked noisily on the metal interior. His light unit activated itself automatically and a ray of pure white light cut through the darkness like a sword.

Chavez and Freidman followed cautiously. They both had the safety catches off their assault rifles which they clutched tightly. Chavez had exchanged her cumbersome machine gun in favour of the more versatile rifle. Tanner and Kiri came next with Paul and Jackson taking the parties rear.

The pipe was ironically just too small for the taller ones, such as Tanner and Apone who found themselves hunched uncomfortably. The pipe wasn’t wide either and only two could walk abreast.

A short command from Apone sent Freidman and Chavez to work on the opening. They resealed the breech that they had made earlier with the portable welders.

Once the opening had been repaired, the party began its trek along the pipe. Their path was frequently crossed by other tunnels, pipes, wires and the like. Kiri was having a supnisingly difficult time of following their course on the plan that she had printed on the terminal. Jackson’s movement tracker showed no signs of life except them.

They walked for what seemed like hours until Apone called them to a halt. The path ahead had been ripped a apart. There was a huge gap in both the bottom and the top of the pipe. The holes were rough and about a metre in diameter. The jagged edges were encrusted in the all to familiar resin of the Psychennuin. Jackson’s tracker suddenly gave out random, rapid pips. The screen fuzzed and then cleared abruptly, only to fuzz up again.

“What the hell?” asked Jackson rhetorically as he bashed the side of the tracker, “It aint working right but I’ve got signals.” “Where?” asked Tanner.

“You try readin’ it, I can’t.”

“Okay people. I’m gonna take a look down this hole and if anything except us moves, blast its ass.” barked Apone.

They immediately set their weapons to auto and Tanner dropped to his knee. Freidman did likewise and the others stood behind them to maximise the number of people shooting.

Apone cautiously peered over the edge and gazed into hell.

Scores of Psychennuin were coming up towards him. He immediately leapt the hole as a Psychennuin coming down clawed for him. The others let rip with their weapons and the Psychennuin endured a constant barrage of automatic fire. Several dropped down sending their brethren with them, but one got into the tunnel itself. It immediately charged the group and got within a metre of Freidman before Tanner grabbed its muscular neck and fired a burst into its skull.

A scream was issued from the other side and they all immediately knew that Apone was dead. The Psychennuin filled with blood lust that had been appetised with Apone’s death renewed their assault.

In the chaos and the noise of battle Chavez shouted, “We can’t do this forever!”

“I know!” replied Tanner.

“Damn right!” said Jackson, “Cause there’s a bunch of angry muthers coming from behind.

Kiriand Chavez turned to where he pointed. A fair way back the Psychennuin could be seen coming towards them. Tanner not doubting Jackson’s words for a minute tapped Freidman on the shoulder and they stepped over the bodies of the dead Psychennuin until they were almost at the hole. Tanner instructed Freidman what to do and he nodded in response. Tanner fired a grenade from his launcher upwards and Freidman downwards. A loud explosion filled the pipe sending Tanner and the marine down but the assault was halted.

A shout from Tanner and the entire party began to cross the hole. Chavez and Jackson walked backwards firing as the Psychennuin approached them from behind as they were now in firing range. Chavez turned and leapt the gap but Jackson stood there firing, his voice could just be heard over the chatter of the weapon saying, “Come here you and get it, Oh you want some too? Die you ******, you too!” As his magazine emptied they turned to, “****, ****. Oh Christ!”

He dropped the useless rifle and frantically pulled out his service pistol. He didn’t even fire once before his skull was smashed open by a large, sharp claw.

“No!” screamed Chavez. She fired two bursts at the creature that ripped open its chest. She would have kept on firing if it weren’t for Tanner saying, “He’s gone, forget him and that piece of **** is dead too. We have got to go. Come on!”

The survivors of the onslaught, Tanner, Paul, Kin, Chavez and Freidman made their way along the tunnel, which now had red walls.

Unfortunately the tunnel didn’t go very far.

It ended abruptly after rounding a corner. The pipes natural course would be to continue straight across the floor of the room that they had entered. Not that they paid any attention to the equipment storage room. It was what was in it. The room was, as usual, covered in the resin. A monstrosity lurked in one corner. It resembled a normal Psychennuin, only much bigger. It walked, not on two legs, but six. It resembled a giant scorpion and Psychennuin hybrid. It had the usual four arms but it had, in addition, two gargantuan claws that were mounted on another set of arms. It was at least five metres tall as it stood.

“Jesus Christ.” muttered Freidman.

The silence was broken by Chavez firing. In addition to the ‘queen’ a new wave of Psychennuin had entered the room. A new fight broke out with everyone firing. The large one didn’t do anything. None of the Psychennuin charged Tanner though. He shot a few but after a while he found himself looking for someone to fight. Then he realised.

He turned and looked at the queen. If the Psychennuin could smile, this one did. Without words he accepted the challenge. Man and beast circled each other, oblivious to the battle behind them. Neither moved. Tanner eventually set things in motion. He flicked his Uzi from burst to full auto and fired from the hip. He raked a line of fire straight across the things chest. The flash from his barrel illuminated his face, if there were any to look at it, they would see that it was devoid of emotion.

The creature shrugged off the attack as if the bullets were paper. An arm tipped with a razor sharp claw flew towards Tanner who had to duck, leaving him prone to attack. A second claw came down towards his exposed back. He rolled attempted to deflect it with a burst from his Uzi. It slowed the blow but it didn’t stop it connecting with his shoulder. The wound, fortunately, was lessened by the hardened artificial carapace that Tanner had implanted underneath his skin. However it was still very nasty.

Tanner fired again at the beast, this time at its head. The bullets did more damage this time and the creature halted its assault. It was angered and in pain. Tanner realised that it was hopeless out in the open, the Psychennuin queen would rip him apart. He considered his options and ran.

As he ran he fired at the Psychennuin to attract it. He leapt straight through a service door into a room full of machinery beyond. He climbed upwards onto the machinery and made his way up to the ceiling, by jumping on the equipment like vertical stepping stones. He could hear the terrible thing following him, it had trouble moving through the door. He tried to conceal himself in the darkness but he knew it would find him.

Looking down he saw the thing pop through the door. It looked more terrifying from above as he could see its lower body with the six legs that reminded him of insects on biology tutorial disks. He prayed that it would pass on.

It didn’t. It must have sensed Tanner because its head span and its jaws opened. An arm came flying upwards and hit Tanner sending him tumbling of f his precarious perch and down the other side of the mound of machinery.

As he fell he wounded himself severely and lay, paralysed on the ground with blood on his face. The Psychennuin howled in triumph and began to come around the machinery. Its howl brought Tanner to his senses. He helped himself to his feet and limped to a generator where he propped himself up.

The Psychennuin came round the corner. Tanner moaned. He raised his Uzi with his bionic arm and fired at the thing. He missed. As the thing came in range a claw ripped the arm from his body, showing a stump of wires and steel bones, blue electricity danced over it but Tanner felt no pain.

This it thought Tanner. Death has finally caught up with me. Might as well take him with me. Tanner drew a pair of grenades from his utility belt and primed them. When he let go of the button they would go of f in five seconds. He waited until the thing was in range.

Unexpectedly the Psychennuin queen made a bite attack. Its neck lurched forward and its jaws opened wide within a foot of Tanner’s face. Tanner realised the chance that he had. With his one arm he threw the grenades into its mouth. As fast as a man with a broken leg can, he rushed for cover.

With a muffled boom, they exploded.

Outside the others had left. Some had got back to the surface, namely Kiri and Paul but the two marines had gone somewhere else, the after life.

When they got back to operations they were immediately rushed to med lab. To Paul who had been concussed the world seemed to be a blur of white coats. Kiri who had got of f the lightest told Willis of their ordeal through tears.

Kiri shook her head and began to sob again, “He sacrificed himself for us. He took the queen thing with him.”

--------------------

The next day a service was held for the dead marines and Tanner. It was simple and straight to the point, Willis knew that neither the marines nor Tanner would want anything elaborate. After the service Willis had the sad job of informing the relatives that the bodies would not be available. He missed Tanner really.

--------------------

Later that night passers bye witnessed something strange. A service hole (A man hole) opened by itself. It slid slowly onto the pavement and a figure dragged himself out of the dark hole. It was a man. His face had been cut open and a cybernetic eye smashed inside. He had one arm, but that was damaged and bleeding. The other arm was a cybernetic stump. Both of his legs had been damaged, one broken. He had hundreds of small cuts and a few larger ones on his chest. But he was alive.