<span style='font-size:21pt;line-height:100%'>Chapter 17 - The Hive</span>
The air was thick, humid, and the smell got worst and worst every second as they proceeded closer and closer to the Main-Communication Room.
Tentacles snapped up food, tendrils waved while mysterious insects fed on the ferns. Maybe this would be what the planet of the Kharaas looked like.
Sophie "This lifeforms, its..........amazing! I have never seen anything like this before!" Burt "Yeah, but I wouldn't wanna see it even if you gave me a chance" Sophie "Why not?!" Burt "They come with Kharaa, they come from Bacterium, they are filthy!" Sophie "But........only the Kharaa are against us! This other lifeforms did nothing to offend us!" Burt "Sure they didn't, but I still don't give a damn"
Burt squashed an unfortunate beetle-like insect that was drinking a dew excreted from the Bacterium growth. Sophie let out a sigh, since when did Burt hate Bacterium so much?
The smell was really bad now, and everyone could tell they were reaching the Main-Communications Room. However, whatever was giving this reltching smell they could not tell, and they also hoped it was not from something extremely dangerous.
At last, they could see the two doors with the big words 'Main-Communication Room'. Pushing open the door, everyone stared, horrified at the scene that laid before them.
Hundreds of human corspes laid scattered around the great room which was as big as a great hall. Many were reduced to nothing more than skeletons but some even had flash intact with insects chewing on the flesh. Many corspes were missing limbs and part of the body, and those with skulls had the mouth open wide, symbolizing the painful deaths of the unfortunate people who had lost their lifes.
The entire area smelled of death, of suffering, of pain, of horror.............Sophie couldn't hold it anymore, and she kneeled down and vomited. Burt gagged several times before he, too vomited as well. Mike held a palm over his mouth as he looked away, and Jack trembled with fear and shock with his mouth opened wide. Reza was the only one who remained motionless, and after a while, he saluted to the corspes.
Upon closer inspectation, Reza could spot a bio-structure of death clinging onto the ceiling with several fat vines, man's ultimate nightmare. A Hive laid right in the middle of the field of corspes, its fat bulk pulsating and in the middle, an inhuman shape was seen swirling round and round. Sticky goo dripped down the hive and it let out several growths, as if it was alive.
Camoflauged and scattered among the many corspes were more than a dozen eggs, some the size of a full-grown man, others barely as large as a poodle. All of the eggs were reddish-pink and a fat gorge scurried around rapidly, making strange goos.
Like an ant on a frying pan, the Gorge scampered everywhere, sniffing at the eggs, letting loose some bacterium spray, and rubbing its body against the eggs. The gorge even approached some smaller eggs and lifted them up with its 'mantibles', shifting the eggs to where-ever location it saw fit.
The group would had laughed at the Gorge's comical actions, if they were not in a life-or-death situation. The Gorge suddenly looked up, when Jack accidently tapped his gun against his armor loudly. Everyone stared, petrified at the Gorge, which curiously stared at the human intruders. Sensing no response or any signs of danger though, the Gorge dismissed the humans as 'dangerous' and returned to its 'egg-caring' work.
Right behind the hive was the Main-Communications Room controls. If they were lucky enough, they would be able to connect with the Satellites and be able to communicate with Earth.
Nodding his head, Reza now proceeded cautiously forward and the others followed behind him.
As everyone got closer to the eggs, they could see clearly the many blood vessels that lined the entire oval-shaped body of the eggs. A strange sticky slime covered the eggs and they appeared to breath and quiver every few seconds coordinated. Some of the eggs began to vibrate or jerk and stopped suddenly, Reza couldn't tell what this meant. An unusual barely visible creature was in the egg whenever Reza stared hard enough at one.
As they proceeded slowly pass the eggs, Jack couldn't help but reached out a finger to poke an egg. Just before he touched the egg, it made a loud squealing cry and the Gorge came scampering towards Jack and made a loud threatening growl. The Gorge now made loud rapid breathing huffs and Jack backed off slowly.
Reza suddenly grabbed Jack and pulled him away. "Watch it! If the Gorge or the hive treats us as a threat, every single Kharaa on BH will come looking for our heads, you dig?" Reza warned Jack sternly.
I guess SOMEONE has read (or watched) Lord of the Rings <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo--> .
Great stories
And I think those were 'vines that attack when you are looken the other way' <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
<span style='font-size:21pt;line-height:100%'>Chapter 18 - A Brief Conversation</span>
Trudging under the alien hive was a fearsome experience, and Reza didn't want to experience it ever again. At a close up look, the hive looked like it was a huge sack full of......veins, mucus, webs and the ever-swirling shape on the middle on the hive.
The hive made sloshing sounds as a disgusting goob flowed down the hive and drip onto the floor. Burt felt a growing desire to pump all of his bullets into this one-hive and the fat gorge and all the bloody eggs here, but his mission was far more important.
No one talked, for everyone was trying their best not to breath in the foul air. Until at last, Reza reached the main controls for the Main-Communications Room.
There were several large computer screens, one was broken, and all the others were covered in a thin layer of Bacterium growth. Even the controls, the switches were all contaminated with Bacterium, but they seemed to be in working condition. However, there were also dried up human blood everywhere.
Reza pressed desperately at the Start-Up switch but nothing happened. A smaller monitor flickered, and the words 'power low' appeared at the bottom left of the screen.
Reza "Damn!" Sophie "Power low?!" Reza "Screw this damn thing, now what do we do?" Burt "Look! Theres a file here" Jack "Manual for(unclear)Main-Commun(unclear)R(unclear)m? Read it quick!"
The group flipped through the yellow pages quickly, till they found the 'Emergency' section.
Reza "In case of power failure or low power, please turn to page 87.........there! Hmmm, contact higher-ups and.......keh! Nonsense! Lets read on. Check for any power leaks............bah.......convert power by connection through Secondary Aux Generator.........lets see................pump switch repeatedly until the green light flickers, red light means insufficent power and..........convert power to Primary Earth Communications Sector!"
Mike dashed to the Secondary Aux Generator and wrenched the safety wire off. Many different buttons and un-used lights along with a peddle laid before him. "Here goes nothing!" Mike remarked as he grabbed the peddle and pushed it several times. Nothing happened, no green light lit up, only a red light was flickering. "Harder!" Sophie urged Mike. Mike now pushed and pulled the peddle repeatedly with much more strength. This time, a faint green light lit up. Mike punched the 'Convert to : Primary Earth Communications Sector' button.
The sound of the generators charging up was music to the humans ear. Hearing this, the gorge turned and snarled loudly at the humans, it then hopped several times before rearing up and spitting a ball of acid at the ceiling. Where the acid ball had hit, the spot was now sizzling and burning, bubbles of hot burning liquid metal now dripped down.
Fortunately, the power-up soon stopped, and the monitor in front of Jack flickered into action. The gorge ignored the people again and returned to tend the eggs. Immediately, Reza pushed Jack aside and typed in several commands into the keyboard. The words 'connection attempting.........' now appeared on the monitor. Reza tapped his foot impatiently, everyone waited for several minutes, hoping and praying that they were be able to contact Earth.
Finally, the words 'connection made' appeared and everyone sigh in relief. Reza typed in more commands as he turned down the volume.
A huge picture of the TSA logo followed by the TSA motto blazed the entire screen, and Reza was soon prompted for a user name and password. Typing faster than anyone could see, Reza inserted his name and password.
Another few seconds passed by, before a light voice was heard through the speaker.
"TSA Frontiersman, please identify yourself" "This is code Mayfly, Major Reza Helsmate reporting" "Good afternoon Major Reza, what are you reporting?" "Get me Colonel Yurio, now!" "I am afraid I am not authorized to do that, Major Reza" "Whatever, just let him know I am speaking from BH and he will come automatically!" "BH?! Certainly Major Reza"
There was silence for about a minute, before a loud click followed by a much deeper voice.
"Major Reza?" "Yes sir!" "You say you are speaking from BH now, is that true?" "Yes sir!" "Since you were sent to BH on the EX-200 hours ago, I heard EX-200 suddenly got destroyed and everyone went missing. Following suit, I then sent EX-209 with Major Juo to search for survivors, and BH then destroyed EX-209! Now you say you are speaking from BH, just what the hell's going on here?!" "Sir, BH has been taken over by the Kharaa, and they have learned how to overwrite BH's controls, and how to use BH" "So you are telling me thats why BH was aiming at our ships?" "I am efforting that as I speak sir" "You ain't serious are you! If BH is truely empty, then its security system for all the weapons are activated! How the hell do they use the weapons then?!" "From my best knowledge, it seems they can send Bacterium into the hardware and cause Nano-Gridlock" "That's..........bad" "What's worse, in another 73 minutes time, the Kharaas are firing all of BH's nuclear warheads at Earth" "THE HELL?! BH'S NUCLEAR WEAPON SYSTEM IS PROTECTED BY THE VERY BEST OF ALL OUR SECURITY SYSTEM AND FIREWALLS! ARE YOU SURE?!" "Calm down Sir, we need to do something" "You are in no position to call me to calm down. Whats more, theres enough nukes there to wipe out Earth, you know right?" "Sorry sir, yes sir" "So what do you suggest?" "I am sorry, but thats what I contacted you for" "Fine then, we, TSA will then fire our own nukes at BH and wipe its butt off this universe, once BH gets into firing range that is" "But sir! Once BH gets into firing range, it would fire its own nukes at Earth as well! Even if BH is destroyed, Earth will be wiped out as well!" "Damn, firing nukes down to eradicate us, then sending in more aliens to finish the job, that sounds exactly like the thinking of a Kharaa to me" "So sir, what do we do?" "............................................" "Sir?" "I want you to lead whoever there is, to stop the nukes. I don't know how you are going to do it, I don't know where you should go, I only want you to stop the nukes NO MATTER WHAT! DO YOU GET ME!" "Yes sir!" "Good, after all, I also do not wish to sacriface any more of my precious ships to BH only to get destroyed. Regardless of whether you succeed or not, I will fire my own nukes on BH nonetheless, so you better get off BH............"
The monitor suddenly blacked out, and static developed. Surprised, Reza typed in more commands.
Reza "Dammit! The Bacterium has over-written the system!" Sophie "What?!" Reza "Crap! We have to go, now!"
<!--QuoteBegin--Fire Eel+Jan 2 2004, 09:46 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Fire Eel @ Jan 2 2004, 09:46 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> My aim for The Behemoth is to have at least 20 chapters, reach at least 800 views and become a sticky post. Someone give me advice on how to achieve the last 2 of my desires. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> yeah! more than 800 views at last!
i wouldnt be surpriesd if this reaches 2000 by the end, at least, this story seriously rocks(ive said it before and ill say it again) if this was a film, I'd go see it, fast!
EVAN BETTAR THEN HAARY POTERR!!!!1111onelevenonehundredandeleven11!!!!!!!!1
Oh my god... i want more <!--emo&:0--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wow.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wow.gif'><!--endemo--> At least i want so see the onos die <!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&::onos::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tiny.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tiny.gif'><!--endemo-->
aonomusDedicated NS Mastermind (no need for school)Join Date: 2003-11-26Member: 23605Members, Constellation
W00t someone make a map of this story, it would be ownage, if the rines don't wipe the aliens off within say.... 90 minutes, marine base is nuked, and all rines are like killed <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
this story better last more than 20 chapters.....or "else" <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
NEEED MORE..... STORY TO GOOD MUST FINISH <!--emo&:angry:--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/mad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='mad.gif'><!--endemo-->
Reza, Burt, Jack, Sophie and Mike left the monitor still switched on and fled the the Main-Communications Room quickly. The sooner they got out, the better. Cautiously stepping past the many corpses and passing by the eggs was not a fun experience, for they would be in serious trouble if the eggs started hatching.
The Gorge glanced at the group of humans again, wondering what were their business here.
Reza and Mike were the first to get back up the stairs, and they made hand signals for the others to come quickly. Sophie and Burt soon joined them as well, but Jack stopped suddenly, and he did not move, remaining motionless among the corspes and eggs.
Reza angrily waved for Jack to come, but Jacks response was to shake his head with looks of desperation and fear in his eyes. One look, and Reza could tell something was terribly wrong. "What is he doing?!" Sophie whispered hurrily. Reza pointed a finger at Jack's feet.
At first glance, Sophie did not notice anything mysterious, but as she looked closer, she realised, horrified, that Jack's feet were not touching the ground. Jack was dangling in the air with both his feet a few inches above the ground.
In all his past experience against the Kharaa, Reza knew only one thing could be causing that to Jack. Webs.
Before anyone could stop her, Sophie sprinted back to Jack. "Just what the hell are you doing?!" Jack whispered, anxious for Sophie's safety. "I can't leave you alone here!" Sophie grabbed Jacks arm and began to tug it forcefully. There were several transuclent sticky threads wrapped around Jacks waist, arm and legs. Each web was about an inch thick and were joined to the floor, walls and eggs. As Jack struggled in an attempt to break free, the Gorge noticed its webs moving.
It was the humans, one was caught in its web. Danger. The Gorge rolled a ball of acid into its throat and prepared to spit it at Jack.
The hive suddenly made loud guggling sounds, and started to tremble viciously. Drops of goo dripped out of its birth-canal and the hive jerked in a continuous, coordinated motion. A small pinkish glob appeared from the hives birth-canal. The hive now growled softely and in an instant, the small pink glob was squeezed out completely from the hive's birth-canal and fell on several webs.
The Gorge gripped the poodle-size glob and gentle rested it on the floor. After a few seconds, the pink glob turned transculent and a small alien could be seen in it. It was a small Skulk wrapped up in a pink, wet membrane.
Everyone watched in shock and yet, awe as the Skulk twisted and turned as it tried to struggle out of its protective membrane. With its already-developed claws, it ripped the membrane apart and squeezed its head out to look at this new world for the first time. A thick liquid flowed out along with the ripped membrane and the Gorge approached the baby Skulk.
Carefully, the Gorge lifted the little Skulk out and laid it beside the now wet membrane. Rapidly, the Gorge devoured the wet membrane completely, and let out a loud burp after its meal. The Skulk, now sprawled on the floor with its belly up, made loud high-pitched shrieks. The Gorge rubbed its face against the new-born Skulk affectionately and the Skulk opened its jaws, rows of sharp teeth lined its wet gums. The Skulk and Gorge appeared to kiss, and only after inspecting the two Kharaas could Jack and Sophie really see what was happening. The Gorge was feeding the Skulk a white sap, as disgusting as it may be, this is perhaps how new-born Skulks are fed and treated.
Reza had suddenly sneaked up behind Jack and Sophie, with his knife, he slashed the webs. The webs were thick and amazingly strong, only after hacking at a stubborn web several times could Reza break the web. The movement caused the Gorge to stop feeding the Skulk, and it turned and fired several acid balls at Jack. Thankfully, Jack's waist and arm was freed, he narrowly avoided the dangerous acid balls. Jack dashed after Reza and Sophie back up the stairs even with some webs still stuck to his waist and right hand. With a final snarl, the Gorge returned to feed the Skulk once more, as if nothing had happened.
Together, the group left the cursed Main-Communications Room, leaving the eggs and Gorge and corpses behind. The smell of death and rot faded............
1, If BH is the most advanced ship made, shouldnt there be advance weaponry? I mean stuff like lasers, railguns, cluster grenades, marine fireable siege turrets (good for a kharaa problem <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->) handhelp sensor scans (perhapes linked to the computers motion system and transmitted via nano, so it stops or becomes restricted when it encounters the bacterium?)
2. I like the part about how you talk about the bacterium evolving itself into an organic computer, which reminds me of a scene in one of my favorite animes Evangelion. Perhapes you could introduce a hacking sequence where one of the crew hacks the Main bridge inorder to stop the nukes? Hell for a really cool idea have a Entertainment deck with Holo-Rooms like in Star Trek which can be used to create an artificial enviroment with which you could "hack" a computer - Matrix Style in NS <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
Thats all the ideas I have for now. Keep going fire your doing a great job <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
<span style='font-size:21pt;line-height:100%'>Chapter 20 - A New Foe</span>
The air was fresher than before, but that was probably due to the fact they had spent a long time in the Main-Communications Room. Whatever it was, they sure were glad about getting out of there. However, they now faced another problem. 3 menacing long walkways lied in front of them and they did not know which one to go. All 3 ways would lead them to the Main Bridge.
Sophie "So? Where do we go?" Reza "Hold on, let me think" Jack "Don't you have a map or something?!" Reza "Yes I do" Jack "Then check it and choose the short cut!" Reza "That's why I am thinking!" Burt "Quiet guys, let him think"
Reza rubbed his chin uneasily, he had to pick the safest route for his team. It appears that all 3 walkway are equally long, but what dangers laid ahead? A big group of Kharaas? A field of corspes? Something worst? Reza closed his eyes at last, and pointed straight ahead. "This way, lets go" Reza uttered as he secretly prayed to himself for the safety of everyone.
It was rather dark, for the light was blocked by the many thick Bacterium growths. With strange tentacles dangling above their heads, everyone couldn't help but felt nervous. They felt like they were in the stomach of a great beast, as nothing man-made could be seen. Everywhere, Bacterium and all sorts of vile lifeform were pratically everywhere.
In the far distance ahead, everyone could see the end of the walkway.
Everyone reached the end of the walkway, and stopped. This was something that they had never quite seen before. A enormous pulsating wall of vines and tentacles twisted together into a huge lump was completely blocking their way. Wet smacking sounds could constantly be heard from the filthy mass.
Jack "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!" Sophie "Reza....you don't.....happen to have the database of one of these do you?" Reza "No. I left my Bio-Degree back on Earth, you tell me what it is" Mike "Okay, whatever it is, it isn't safe right?" Jack "Hell no" Mike "Fine, lets get out of here" Reza "Erm, sorry guys, for picking the wrong way" Burt "No one's blaming you, lets go back"
Everyone turned and headed back. It was at this moment that Burt felt something seize him by his ankle. Falling, Burt cried out and everyone swung around to face something unexpected.
A long sinuous tentacle had lunged out from the lump and hooked itself around Burt's leg. As Burt screamed and kick wildly, several other tentacles, each the width of a man's arm had reached out and coiled around Burt's waist and neck. "BURT!!!" Jack screamed as he ran up beside Burt and pulled Burt's arm. A huge tentacle came rippling out from the lump and smacked Jack in the chest so hard that he flew backwards and crashed into the wall. With a horrible strength, the tentacles coiled around Burt and dragged him at an alarming speed towards the lump, ready to swallow him up.
Mike "WHAT ARE THOSE?!" Reza "JUST SHOOT DAMMIT!!!" Burt "Help!"
Reza and Mike opened fire at the lump of tentacles but their guns seemed to have little effect. Sophie tended on Jack as he coughed violently. The tentacle around Burt's neck began to squeeze, and Burt dropped his HMG in pain. Burt was strangled as even more tentacles wrapped around him. Choking, he whipped out his knife and slashed the tentacle on his neck. Immediately, it let go.
Jack now got up, and everyone opened fire at the lump of tentacles. There was a hideous stench, and several tentacles waved around before dropping to the ground, dead. Burt was now slashing crazily at the tentacles holding on to him but with every tentacle he hacked apart, two more would lash out at him. Another tentacle came wriggling to Reza's feet, and another hit Mike's stomach as he kneeled down in pain.
Out of the corner of his eye, Jack saw the faint metallic flash of a steel pipe. It was among the ceiling beside the lump of tentacles, and Jack took aim with his HMG and fired.
There was the loud hiss of a broken pipe, and a steaming white gas engulfed the tentacles. With cries of pain, the lump dissipated completely, leaving some dead tentacles behind and many more retreated back into the walls and ceiling. The tentacles around Burt loosen and all laid dead on him.
Cronium, while BH is an advanced ship, it was built many months ago, and much of the weaponry has been taken over by the Kharaa. What's more, the survivors do not have the time to go around and search for weapons.
Ive got like 1000000 ideas from this for my own story... if ill ever even start it. Woah, thats it, im not reading these in the night anymore <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif'><!--endemo--> that last part freaked me out. Die die die!!! <!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif'><!--endemo-->
[Edit] Think i should lower the amount of smilies on these...
<span style='font-size:21pt;line-height:100%'>Chapter 21 - Main Bridge</span>
Burt lied on the floor, motionless, with several dead tentacles still coiled around him. The white gas had engulfed him completely and it seemed almost certain that Burt is dead.
"Oh god, Burt....no!" Reza slowly approached Burt as he breathed deeply in fear. Still, Burt shown no response as his lifeless eyes stared up, his expression blank. "Please, no, don't die........" Reza muttered slowly as he placed a clammy hand on Burt's forehead.
Burt choked suddenly and he jerked straight up. "What happened?" Burt questioned, with a funny expression on his face. Reza realised that he too, was bathed in the white gas and he laughed heartily, much to the surprise of everyone.
Reza "Guys! This gas......its........ un-purified Nano!" Burt "This gas? Was that what saved me?" Reza "Not completely though, it was in fact Jack" Burt "Jack?" Reza "Yes, he shot the pipe which let loose the un-purified Nanos onto the vines and tentacles. Bacterium is always fighting with Nanos, and in this case, the un-purified Nano proved too strong for the Bacterium to handle, and the tentacles died" Sophie "And all along I thought the gas was boiling hot!" Reza "Speak no more, and lets go!"
Everyone pulled the dead tentacles off Burt and Reza patted Jack on the back. "Quick thinking Jack! I could use you on my team next time if we ever get out of here alive. Keep it up!" Jack merely shrugged, but he was feeling really pleased with himself.
The dead tentacles looked surprisely delicate as their wet bodies gleemed against the dim light and a slime drooled out of their jaws. All the other tentacles in the area had completely gone, and even the Bacterium growth under the un-purified Nano gas had began dying off.
With everyone safe and sound, their journey continued onwards, once again, with Reza leading.
They trekked through even more walkways and corridors, though nothing recongizable was anywhere. Surprisingly though, no Kharaas had ambushed them, no tentacles had attacked them. It was as if, the Kharaas now feared them.
Burt "Reza, those things back there..........." Reza "Yes, I have been thinking it through as well. It seems they are a new species of Kharaa or Bio-Chamber we have never encountered before" Burt "Or rather.......encountered and didn't survive to tell the tale" Reza "Maybe........the giant Onos as well. The vines, the insects, something tells me that we will be meeting even more new Kharaas soon" Burt "How would you know?" Reza "I don't know how I know but I just know" Burt "So, you were saying earlier, Jack saved me right?" Reza "Yeh, he will be an outstanding Marine one day. It's a pity that his talent is only shown now. I see in him even more potential than Mike or Sophie or even me"
Burt and Reza turned back to face Jack, who was happily chatting with Mike and Sophie, dispite their grave situation.
Reza "Everyone, on your guard, the Main Bridge is only another 20 or so metres ahead of us" Jack "That's the chokepoint you mentioned that has..........hundreds of Kharaa right?" Reza "Right. You got a problem with that?" Jack "Yes, I do. How do we deal with so many freaking Kharaas?" Reza "Listen closely.....everyone. The moment we enter the Main Bridge, we all gather together into a circle, and every face outwards, shooting everything that moves within 10 metres from us" Jack "What if we fail?" What if we die?" Reza "Then Earth will fall and humanity will perish. Therefore, we must not fail"
Their guns were reloaded, everyone were prepared. Reza took a deep breath as he finally pushed open the door labelled 'Main Bridge'.
A stunningly bright light enveloped them. Jack raised a hand to shield his eyes, and he stared into the Main Bridge, blinking constantly, and he gasped, along with Sophie, Reza, Mike and Burt.
aonomusDedicated NS Mastermind (no need for school)Join Date: 2003-11-26Member: 23605Members, Constellation
Wow, chilling climax! Just like the cliffhanger ending of HL! I just hope that the last chapters are done before HL2... <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&:0--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wow.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wow.gif'><!--endemo-->
If Behemoth reaches 2000 views in the end, then perhaps I may create ( spoiler, dun wanna ruin a surprise <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo--> )
Anyway, thx for the replies guys, but I do notice the ones who keep replying are the same few lot.
I also noticed few people come to this fanfiction forum to check out fan fictions. Hee....I can't wait for the people at Suggestion and Discussion forum to swarm Behemoth the moment they hear that I will include Scorpian that Hovars without flapping...........soon.
<!--QuoteBegin--Fire Eel+Jan 16 2004, 09:34 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Fire Eel @ Jan 16 2004, 09:34 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Anyway, thx for the replies guys, but I do notice the ones who keep replying are the same few lot. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> Like me? I just cant help it. Every time theres a new chapter i just have to do it <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif'><!--endemo-->
Dude this story is **** awesome. I read the whole thing last night, and it rocks, I don't want it to end, because then I won't be able to read any more <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->. Oh and this climax is killing me, I should have waited till it was done to start reading it .
Readin this is almost better than playin ns it self! <!--emo&::marine::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/marine.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='marine.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
<span style='font-size:21pt;line-height:100%'>Chapter 22 - Gathering Of Kharaa</span>
Jack felt like he was looking at a city of Kharaa. He had expected the Main Bridge to have huge alien plants, slittery tentacles, monsterous hives, Bacterium growth everywhere. Instead, he was now staring at an enormous room bigger and wider than the biggest stadium. No, there were no Bacterium growth, the entire area was 'un-tainted', save for the many hundreds of Kharaa.
In the far distance ahead, perhaps 100 metres, Jack could see an enormous screen the size of a Jumbo Airplane. From it, he could see stars, the vast darkness of space, and Earth.
The Main Bridge consisted of 3 levels, and there were many doors and rooms, seats and computers, control circuits and screens. And on the first level, Jack could see hundreds of Kharaa, Lerks, Skulks, Gorges, Fades, but there were no Onos. And they were on the first level.
It was extremely noisy, and the Kharaas were communicating among themselves, walking around, sleeping, doing nothing. It appears that their presense had gone un-noticed by the Kharaa.
"Oh my god......." Sophie whispered, her voice almost drowned by the growls and roars of the Kharaa. "It's a gathering"
"A what?!" Jack asked, confused.
"It's a Gathering of Kharaa. Its a special occasion when Kharaas within a certain area would all gather together. I never believed it before. Until now.........they are waiting" Sophie muttered, as she trembled in fear.
"Waiting for what?" Jack turned to face Sophie, shocked by her words.
"The Kharaas, are waiting.......for the birth of a Queen. For the birth of a dominant Kharaa which would lead them to victory" Sophie spoke, with a tone of fear and amazement.
"Queen?! What are you talking about?! How did you know all this?" Burt stared at Sophie, bewildered by her grave words.
"My father, he had seen it before. Admiral Siral. Remember? The last surviving marine from the crew of 20 who went on a rescue mission to the ill-fated MartianExplorer colonial ship" Sophie answered grimly.
"Yes, I knew Admiral Siral. He died only several days after returning to Earth due to his fatal injuries from a Fade. Yet, he had never mentioned anything about 'Gathering of Kharaas' to me before" Reza interrupted suddenly.
"No, it wasn't a Fade" Sophie argued. "It was a Queen. My father told all this to me only because I was his daughter. He claimed the Queen was the size of a building and killed everyone else. But he was lucky, for he fell when the Queen tried to slash him apart. And even so, its talons had got his back, and he barely managed to make it back to the ship and escaped back to Earth"
Everyone remained quiet, pondering over what Sophie had just told them. If this was true, then they had better stop the nukes soon. Reza checked his watch, 59 minutes left. No time left. Yet, between them and the Main Bridge's Captain command board was at least several hundred Kharaas! What were they to do?
Jack took a deep breath and he stepped forward. With his loudest voice ever, Jack shouted. "HEAR ME!!! ALL OF YOU FILTHY KHARAA!!! FOR MY NAME IS JACK ANNOR, UNDERLING OF COMMANDER REZA!!! ALL WHO APPROACHES US SHALL BE SLAYED!!!"
There was a arupt silence, and the Kharaas stopped their chattering. Lerks peeped down curiously at the group, Skulks turned to face them, Fades let out growls of hunger, and the Gorges let out shrill cries.
Reza, Burt, Sophie and Mike stared at Jack in awe, almost not believing what he had just done.
Reza "What did you do that for?" Jack "Letting them know we are here. Sooner or later, they will find us anyway. May as well alert them first" Reza "You are crazy, but I like you for that!" Jack "Are you guys ready?" Reza "Remember the earlier plan, for now, just shoot like crazy at anything that comes near. Remember, stick together. We fight as one, we think as one, and we die as one!" Mike "Watch out! Here they come!"
As everyone stood together, the Kharaas all roared loudly in union. Together, the hundreds of Kharaa charged at the 5 humans that stood before them.
Hey I have just read the whole thing and I think you could become a rich writer someday. The story is very good with lots of great descriptions of the rooms in. I can't wait for the next chapter.
Comments
The air was thick, humid, and the smell got worst and worst every second as they proceeded closer and closer to the Main-Communication Room.
Tentacles snapped up food, tendrils waved while mysterious insects fed on the ferns. Maybe this would be what the planet of the Kharaas looked like.
Sophie "This lifeforms, its..........amazing! I have never seen anything like this before!"
Burt "Yeah, but I wouldn't wanna see it even if you gave me a chance"
Sophie "Why not?!"
Burt "They come with Kharaa, they come from Bacterium, they are filthy!"
Sophie "But........only the Kharaa are against us! This other lifeforms did nothing to offend us!"
Burt "Sure they didn't, but I still don't give a damn"
Burt squashed an unfortunate beetle-like insect that was drinking a dew excreted from the Bacterium growth. Sophie let out a sigh, since when did Burt hate Bacterium so much?
The smell was really bad now, and everyone could tell they were reaching the Main-Communications Room. However, whatever was giving this reltching smell they could not tell, and they also hoped it was not from something extremely dangerous.
At last, they could see the two doors with the big words 'Main-Communication Room'. Pushing open the door, everyone stared, horrified at the scene that laid before them.
Hundreds of human corspes laid scattered around the great room which was as big as a great hall. Many were reduced to nothing more than skeletons but some even had flash intact with insects chewing on the flesh. Many corspes were missing limbs and part of the body, and those with skulls had the mouth open wide, symbolizing the painful deaths of the unfortunate people who had lost their lifes.
The entire area smelled of death, of suffering, of pain, of horror.............Sophie couldn't hold it anymore, and she kneeled down and vomited. Burt gagged several times before he, too vomited as well. Mike held a palm over his mouth as he looked away, and Jack trembled with fear and shock with his mouth opened wide. Reza was the only one who remained motionless, and after a while, he saluted to the corspes.
Upon closer inspectation, Reza could spot a bio-structure of death clinging onto the ceiling with several fat vines, man's ultimate nightmare. A Hive laid right in the middle of the field of corspes, its fat bulk pulsating and in the middle, an inhuman shape was seen swirling round and round. Sticky goo dripped down the hive and it let out several growths, as if it was alive.
Camoflauged and scattered among the many corspes were more than a dozen eggs, some the size of a full-grown man, others barely as large as a poodle. All of the eggs were reddish-pink and a fat gorge scurried around rapidly, making strange goos.
Like an ant on a frying pan, the Gorge scampered everywhere, sniffing at the eggs, letting loose some bacterium spray, and rubbing its body against the eggs. The gorge even approached some smaller eggs and lifted them up with its 'mantibles', shifting the eggs to where-ever location it saw fit.
The group would had laughed at the Gorge's comical actions, if they were not in a life-or-death situation. The Gorge suddenly looked up, when Jack accidently tapped his gun against his armor loudly. Everyone stared, petrified at the Gorge, which curiously stared at the human intruders. Sensing no response or any signs of danger though, the Gorge dismissed the humans as 'dangerous' and returned to its 'egg-caring' work.
Right behind the hive was the Main-Communications Room controls. If they were lucky enough, they would be able to connect with the Satellites and be able to communicate with Earth.
Nodding his head, Reza now proceeded cautiously forward and the others followed behind him.
As everyone got closer to the eggs, they could see clearly the many blood vessels that lined the entire oval-shaped body of the eggs. A strange sticky slime covered the eggs and they appeared to breath and quiver every few seconds coordinated. Some of the eggs began to vibrate or jerk and stopped suddenly, Reza couldn't tell what this meant. An unusual barely visible creature was in the egg whenever Reza stared hard enough at one.
As they proceeded slowly pass the eggs, Jack couldn't help but reached out a finger to poke an egg. Just before he touched the egg, it made a loud squealing cry and the Gorge came scampering towards Jack and made a loud threatening growl. The Gorge now made loud rapid breathing huffs and Jack backed off slowly.
Reza suddenly grabbed Jack and pulled him away. "Watch it! If the Gorge or the hive treats us as a threat, every single Kharaa on BH will come looking for our heads, you dig?" Reza warned Jack sternly.
"Keep away from the eggs, and DO NOT touch them!"
/me wants
Great stories
And I think those were 'vines that attack when you are looken the other way' <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
Sry for the caps spam but this story is on the same level as 'It came about because' by nooby
Trudging under the alien hive was a fearsome experience, and Reza didn't want to experience it ever again. At a close up look, the hive looked like it was a huge sack full of......veins, mucus, webs and the ever-swirling shape on the middle on the hive.
The hive made sloshing sounds as a disgusting goob flowed down the hive and drip onto the floor. Burt felt a growing desire to pump all of his bullets into this one-hive and the fat gorge and all the bloody eggs here, but his mission was far more important.
No one talked, for everyone was trying their best not to breath in the foul air. Until at last, Reza reached the main controls for the Main-Communications Room.
There were several large computer screens, one was broken, and all the others were covered in a thin layer of Bacterium growth. Even the controls, the switches were all contaminated with Bacterium, but they seemed to be in working condition. However, there were also dried up human blood everywhere.
Reza pressed desperately at the Start-Up switch but nothing happened. A smaller monitor flickered, and the words 'power low' appeared at the bottom left of the screen.
Reza "Damn!"
Sophie "Power low?!"
Reza "Screw this damn thing, now what do we do?"
Burt "Look! Theres a file here"
Jack "Manual for(unclear)Main-Commun(unclear)R(unclear)m? Read it quick!"
The group flipped through the yellow pages quickly, till they found the 'Emergency' section.
Reza "In case of power failure or low power, please turn to page 87.........there! Hmmm, contact higher-ups and.......keh! Nonsense! Lets read on. Check for any power leaks............bah.......convert power by connection through Secondary Aux Generator.........lets see................pump switch repeatedly until the green light flickers, red light means insufficent power and..........convert power to Primary Earth Communications Sector!"
Mike dashed to the Secondary Aux Generator and wrenched the safety wire off. Many different buttons and un-used lights along with a peddle laid before him. "Here goes nothing!" Mike remarked as he grabbed the peddle and pushed it several times. Nothing happened, no green light lit up, only a red light was flickering. "Harder!" Sophie urged Mike. Mike now pushed and pulled the peddle repeatedly with much more strength. This time, a faint green light lit up. Mike punched the 'Convert to : Primary Earth Communications Sector' button.
The sound of the generators charging up was music to the humans ear. Hearing this, the gorge turned and snarled loudly at the humans, it then hopped several times before rearing up and spitting a ball of acid at the ceiling. Where the acid ball had hit, the spot was now sizzling and burning, bubbles of hot burning liquid metal now dripped down.
Fortunately, the power-up soon stopped, and the monitor in front of Jack flickered into action. The gorge ignored the people again and returned to tend the eggs. Immediately, Reza pushed Jack aside and typed in several commands into the keyboard. The words 'connection attempting.........' now appeared on the monitor. Reza tapped his foot impatiently, everyone waited for several minutes, hoping and praying that they were be able to contact Earth.
Finally, the words 'connection made' appeared and everyone sigh in relief. Reza typed in more commands as he turned down the volume.
A huge picture of the TSA logo followed by the TSA motto blazed the entire screen, and Reza was soon prompted for a user name and password. Typing faster than anyone could see, Reza inserted his name and password.
Another few seconds passed by, before a light voice was heard through the speaker.
"TSA Frontiersman, please identify yourself"
"This is code Mayfly, Major Reza Helsmate reporting"
"Good afternoon Major Reza, what are you reporting?"
"Get me Colonel Yurio, now!"
"I am afraid I am not authorized to do that, Major Reza"
"Whatever, just let him know I am speaking from BH and he will come automatically!"
"BH?! Certainly Major Reza"
There was silence for about a minute, before a loud click followed by a much deeper voice.
"Major Reza?"
"Yes sir!"
"You say you are speaking from BH now, is that true?"
"Yes sir!"
"Since you were sent to BH on the EX-200 hours ago, I heard EX-200 suddenly got destroyed and everyone went missing. Following suit, I then sent EX-209 with Major Juo to search for survivors, and BH then destroyed EX-209! Now you say you are speaking from BH, just what the hell's going on here?!"
"Sir, BH has been taken over by the Kharaa, and they have learned how to overwrite BH's controls, and how to use BH"
"So you are telling me thats why BH was aiming at our ships?"
"I am efforting that as I speak sir"
"You ain't serious are you! If BH is truely empty, then its security system for all the weapons are activated! How the hell do they use the weapons then?!"
"From my best knowledge, it seems they can send Bacterium into the hardware and cause Nano-Gridlock"
"That's..........bad"
"What's worse, in another 73 minutes time, the Kharaas are firing all of BH's nuclear warheads at Earth"
"THE HELL?! BH'S NUCLEAR WEAPON SYSTEM IS PROTECTED BY THE VERY BEST OF ALL OUR SECURITY SYSTEM AND FIREWALLS! ARE YOU SURE?!"
"Calm down Sir, we need to do something"
"You are in no position to call me to calm down. Whats more, theres enough nukes there to wipe out Earth, you know right?"
"Sorry sir, yes sir"
"So what do you suggest?"
"I am sorry, but thats what I contacted you for"
"Fine then, we, TSA will then fire our own nukes at BH and wipe its butt off this universe, once BH gets into firing range that is"
"But sir! Once BH gets into firing range, it would fire its own nukes at Earth as well! Even if BH is destroyed, Earth will be wiped out as well!"
"Damn, firing nukes down to eradicate us, then sending in more aliens to finish the job, that sounds exactly like the thinking of a Kharaa to me"
"So sir, what do we do?"
"............................................"
"Sir?"
"I want you to lead whoever there is, to stop the nukes. I don't know how you are going to do it, I don't know where you should go, I only want you to stop the nukes NO MATTER WHAT! DO YOU GET ME!"
"Yes sir!"
"Good, after all, I also do not wish to sacriface any more of my precious ships to BH only to get destroyed. Regardless of whether you succeed or not, I will fire my own nukes on BH nonetheless, so you better get off BH............"
The monitor suddenly blacked out, and static developed. Surprised, Reza typed in more commands.
Reza "Dammit! The Bacterium has over-written the system!"
Sophie "What?!"
Reza "Crap! We have to go, now!"
yeah! more than 800 views at last!
if this was a film, I'd go see it, fast!
EVAN BETTAR THEN HAARY POTERR!!!!1111onelevenonehundredandeleven11!!!!!!!!1
At least i want so see the onos die <!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&::onos::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tiny.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tiny.gif'><!--endemo-->
Reza, Burt, Jack, Sophie and Mike left the monitor still switched on and fled the the Main-Communications Room quickly. The sooner they got out, the better. Cautiously stepping past the many corpses and passing by the eggs was not a fun experience, for they would be in serious trouble if the eggs started hatching.
The Gorge glanced at the group of humans again, wondering what were their business here.
Reza and Mike were the first to get back up the stairs, and they made hand signals for the others to come quickly. Sophie and Burt soon joined them as well, but Jack stopped suddenly, and he did not move, remaining motionless among the corspes and eggs.
Reza angrily waved for Jack to come, but Jacks response was to shake his head with looks of desperation and fear in his eyes. One look, and Reza could tell something was terribly wrong. "What is he doing?!" Sophie whispered hurrily. Reza pointed a finger at Jack's feet.
At first glance, Sophie did not notice anything mysterious, but as she looked closer, she realised, horrified, that Jack's feet were not touching the ground. Jack was dangling in the air with both his feet a few inches above the ground.
In all his past experience against the Kharaa, Reza knew only one thing could be causing that to Jack. Webs.
Before anyone could stop her, Sophie sprinted back to Jack. "Just what the hell are you doing?!" Jack whispered, anxious for Sophie's safety. "I can't leave you alone here!" Sophie grabbed Jacks arm and began to tug it forcefully. There were several transuclent sticky threads wrapped around Jacks waist, arm and legs. Each web was about an inch thick and were joined to the floor, walls and eggs. As Jack struggled in an attempt to break free, the Gorge noticed its webs moving.
It was the humans, one was caught in its web. Danger. The Gorge rolled a ball of acid into its throat and prepared to spit it at Jack.
The hive suddenly made loud guggling sounds, and started to tremble viciously. Drops of goo dripped out of its birth-canal and the hive jerked in a continuous, coordinated motion. A small pinkish glob appeared from the hives birth-canal. The hive now growled softely and in an instant, the small pink glob was squeezed out completely from the hive's birth-canal and fell on several webs.
The Gorge gripped the poodle-size glob and gentle rested it on the floor. After a few seconds, the pink glob turned transculent and a small alien could be seen in it. It was a small Skulk wrapped up in a pink, wet membrane.
Everyone watched in shock and yet, awe as the Skulk twisted and turned as it tried to struggle out of its protective membrane. With its already-developed claws, it ripped the membrane apart and squeezed its head out to look at this new world for the first time. A thick liquid flowed out along with the ripped membrane and the Gorge approached the baby Skulk.
Carefully, the Gorge lifted the little Skulk out and laid it beside the now wet membrane. Rapidly, the Gorge devoured the wet membrane completely, and let out a loud burp after its meal. The Skulk, now sprawled on the floor with its belly up, made loud high-pitched shrieks. The Gorge rubbed its face against the new-born Skulk affectionately and the Skulk opened its jaws, rows of sharp teeth lined its wet gums. The Skulk and Gorge appeared to kiss, and only after inspecting the two Kharaas could Jack and Sophie really see what was happening. The Gorge was feeding the Skulk a white sap, as disgusting as it may be, this is perhaps how new-born Skulks are fed and treated.
Reza had suddenly sneaked up behind Jack and Sophie, with his knife, he slashed the webs. The webs were thick and amazingly strong, only after hacking at a stubborn web several times could Reza break the web. The movement caused the Gorge to stop feeding the Skulk, and it turned and fired several acid balls at Jack. Thankfully, Jack's waist and arm was freed, he narrowly avoided the dangerous acid balls. Jack dashed after Reza and Sophie back up the stairs even with some webs still stuck to his waist and right hand. With a final snarl, the Gorge returned to feed the Skulk once more, as if nothing had happened.
Together, the group left the cursed Main-Communications Room, leaving the eggs and Gorge and corpses behind. The smell of death and rot faded............
1, If BH is the most advanced ship made, shouldnt there be advance weaponry? I mean stuff like lasers, railguns, cluster grenades, marine fireable siege turrets (good for a kharaa problem <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->) handhelp sensor scans (perhapes linked to the computers motion system and transmitted via nano, so it stops or becomes restricted when it encounters the bacterium?)
2. I like the part about how you talk about the bacterium evolving itself into an organic computer, which reminds me of a scene in one of my favorite animes Evangelion. Perhapes you could introduce a hacking sequence where one of the crew hacks the Main bridge inorder to stop the nukes? Hell for a really cool idea have a Entertainment deck with Holo-Rooms like in Star Trek which can be used to create an artificial enviroment with which you could "hack" a computer - Matrix Style in NS <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
Thats all the ideas I have for now. Keep going fire your doing a great job <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
The air was fresher than before, but that was probably due to the fact they had spent a long time in the Main-Communications Room. Whatever it was, they sure were glad about getting out of there. However, they now faced another problem. 3 menacing long walkways lied in front of them and they did not know which one to go. All 3 ways would lead them to the Main Bridge.
Sophie "So? Where do we go?"
Reza "Hold on, let me think"
Jack "Don't you have a map or something?!"
Reza "Yes I do"
Jack "Then check it and choose the short cut!"
Reza "That's why I am thinking!"
Burt "Quiet guys, let him think"
Reza rubbed his chin uneasily, he had to pick the safest route for his team. It appears that all 3 walkway are equally long, but what dangers laid ahead? A big group of Kharaas? A field of corspes? Something worst? Reza closed his eyes at last, and pointed straight ahead. "This way, lets go" Reza uttered as he secretly prayed to himself for the safety of everyone.
It was rather dark, for the light was blocked by the many thick Bacterium growths. With strange tentacles dangling above their heads, everyone couldn't help but felt nervous. They felt like they were in the stomach of a great beast, as nothing man-made could be seen. Everywhere, Bacterium and all sorts of vile lifeform were pratically everywhere.
In the far distance ahead, everyone could see the end of the walkway.
Everyone reached the end of the walkway, and stopped. This was something that they had never quite seen before. A enormous pulsating wall of vines and tentacles twisted together into a huge lump was completely blocking their way. Wet smacking sounds could constantly be heard from the filthy mass.
Jack "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!"
Sophie "Reza....you don't.....happen to have the database of one of these do you?"
Reza "No. I left my Bio-Degree back on Earth, you tell me what it is"
Mike "Okay, whatever it is, it isn't safe right?"
Jack "Hell no"
Mike "Fine, lets get out of here"
Reza "Erm, sorry guys, for picking the wrong way"
Burt "No one's blaming you, lets go back"
Everyone turned and headed back. It was at this moment that Burt felt something seize him by his ankle. Falling, Burt cried out and everyone swung around to face something unexpected.
A long sinuous tentacle had lunged out from the lump and hooked itself around Burt's leg. As Burt screamed and kick wildly, several other tentacles, each the width of a man's arm had reached out and coiled around Burt's waist and neck. "BURT!!!" Jack screamed as he ran up beside Burt and pulled Burt's arm. A huge tentacle came rippling out from the lump and smacked Jack in the chest so hard that he flew backwards and crashed into the wall. With a horrible strength, the tentacles coiled around Burt and dragged him at an alarming speed towards the lump, ready to swallow him up.
Mike "WHAT ARE THOSE?!"
Reza "JUST SHOOT DAMMIT!!!"
Burt "Help!"
Reza and Mike opened fire at the lump of tentacles but their guns seemed to have little effect. Sophie tended on Jack as he coughed violently. The tentacle around Burt's neck began to squeeze, and Burt dropped his HMG in pain. Burt was strangled as even more tentacles wrapped around him. Choking, he whipped out his knife and slashed the tentacle on his neck. Immediately, it let go.
Jack now got up, and everyone opened fire at the lump of tentacles. There was a hideous stench, and several tentacles waved around before dropping to the ground, dead. Burt was now slashing crazily at the tentacles holding on to him but with every tentacle he hacked apart, two more would lash out at him. Another tentacle came wriggling to Reza's feet, and another hit Mike's stomach as he kneeled down in pain.
Out of the corner of his eye, Jack saw the faint metallic flash of a steel pipe. It was among the ceiling beside the lump of tentacles, and Jack took aim with his HMG and fired.
There was the loud hiss of a broken pipe, and a steaming white gas engulfed the tentacles. With cries of pain, the lump dissipated completely, leaving some dead tentacles behind and many more retreated back into the walls and ceiling. The tentacles around Burt loosen and all laid dead on him.
Jack had saved them all.
Me gives Fire Eel a cookie
Woah, thats it, im not reading these in the night anymore <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif'><!--endemo--> that last part freaked me out.
Die die die!!! <!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif'><!--endemo--> <!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif'><!--endemo-->
[Edit] Think i should lower the amount of smilies on these...
Burt lied on the floor, motionless, with several dead tentacles still coiled around him. The white gas had engulfed him completely and it seemed almost certain that Burt is dead.
"Oh god, Burt....no!" Reza slowly approached Burt as he breathed deeply in fear. Still, Burt shown no response as his lifeless eyes stared up, his expression blank. "Please, no, don't die........" Reza muttered slowly as he placed a clammy hand on Burt's forehead.
Burt choked suddenly and he jerked straight up. "What happened?" Burt questioned, with a funny expression on his face. Reza realised that he too, was bathed in the white gas and he laughed heartily, much to the surprise of everyone.
Reza "Guys! This gas......its........ un-purified Nano!"
Burt "This gas? Was that what saved me?"
Reza "Not completely though, it was in fact Jack"
Burt "Jack?"
Reza "Yes, he shot the pipe which let loose the un-purified Nanos onto the vines and tentacles. Bacterium is always fighting with Nanos, and in this case, the un-purified Nano proved too strong for the Bacterium to handle, and the tentacles died"
Sophie "And all along I thought the gas was boiling hot!"
Reza "Speak no more, and lets go!"
Everyone pulled the dead tentacles off Burt and Reza patted Jack on the back. "Quick thinking Jack! I could use you on my team next time if we ever get out of here alive. Keep it up!" Jack merely shrugged, but he was feeling really pleased with himself.
The dead tentacles looked surprisely delicate as their wet bodies gleemed against the dim light and a slime drooled out of their jaws. All the other tentacles in the area had completely gone, and even the Bacterium growth under the un-purified Nano gas had began dying off.
With everyone safe and sound, their journey continued onwards, once again, with Reza leading.
They trekked through even more walkways and corridors, though nothing recongizable was anywhere. Surprisingly though, no Kharaas had ambushed them, no tentacles had attacked them. It was as if, the Kharaas now feared them.
Burt "Reza, those things back there..........."
Reza "Yes, I have been thinking it through as well. It seems they are a new species of Kharaa or Bio-Chamber we have never encountered before"
Burt "Or rather.......encountered and didn't survive to tell the tale"
Reza "Maybe........the giant Onos as well. The vines, the insects, something tells me that we will be meeting even more new Kharaas soon"
Burt "How would you know?"
Reza "I don't know how I know but I just know"
Burt "So, you were saying earlier, Jack saved me right?"
Reza "Yeh, he will be an outstanding Marine one day. It's a pity that his talent is only shown now. I see in him even more potential than Mike or Sophie or even me"
Burt and Reza turned back to face Jack, who was happily chatting with Mike and Sophie, dispite their grave situation.
Reza "Everyone, on your guard, the Main Bridge is only another 20 or so metres ahead of us"
Jack "That's the chokepoint you mentioned that has..........hundreds of Kharaa right?"
Reza "Right. You got a problem with that?"
Jack "Yes, I do. How do we deal with so many freaking Kharaas?"
Reza "Listen closely.....everyone. The moment we enter the Main Bridge, we all gather together into a circle, and every face outwards, shooting everything that moves within 10 metres from us"
Jack "What if we fail?" What if we die?"
Reza "Then Earth will fall and humanity will perish. Therefore, we must not fail"
Their guns were reloaded, everyone were prepared. Reza took a deep breath as he finally pushed open the door labelled 'Main Bridge'.
A stunningly bright light enveloped them. Jack raised a hand to shield his eyes, and he stared into the Main Bridge, blinking constantly, and he gasped, along with Sophie, Reza, Mike and Burt.
If Behemoth reaches 2000 views in the end, then perhaps I may create ( spoiler, dun wanna ruin a surprise <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo--> )
Anyway, thx for the replies guys, but I do notice the ones who keep replying are the same few lot.
I also noticed few people come to this fanfiction forum to check out fan fictions. Hee....I can't wait for the people at Suggestion and Discussion forum to swarm Behemoth the moment they hear that I will include Scorpian that Hovars without flapping...........soon.
Like me? I just cant help it. Every time theres a new chapter i just have to do it <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif'><!--endemo-->
Jack felt like he was looking at a city of Kharaa. He had expected the Main Bridge to have huge alien plants, slittery tentacles, monsterous hives, Bacterium growth everywhere. Instead, he was now staring at an enormous room bigger and wider than the biggest stadium. No, there were no Bacterium growth, the entire area was 'un-tainted', save for the many hundreds of Kharaa.
In the far distance ahead, perhaps 100 metres, Jack could see an enormous screen the size of a Jumbo Airplane. From it, he could see stars, the vast darkness of space, and Earth.
The Main Bridge consisted of 3 levels, and there were many doors and rooms, seats and computers, control circuits and screens. And on the first level, Jack could see hundreds of Kharaa, Lerks, Skulks, Gorges, Fades, but there were no Onos. And they were on the first level.
It was extremely noisy, and the Kharaas were communicating among themselves, walking around, sleeping, doing nothing. It appears that their presense had gone un-noticed by the Kharaa.
"Oh my god......." Sophie whispered, her voice almost drowned by the growls and roars of the Kharaa. "It's a gathering"
"A what?!" Jack asked, confused.
"It's a Gathering of Kharaa. Its a special occasion when Kharaas within a certain area would all gather together. I never believed it before. Until now.........they are waiting" Sophie muttered, as she trembled in fear.
"Waiting for what?" Jack turned to face Sophie, shocked by her words.
"The Kharaas, are waiting.......for the birth of a Queen. For the birth of a dominant Kharaa which would lead them to victory" Sophie spoke, with a tone of fear and amazement.
"Queen?! What are you talking about?! How did you know all this?" Burt stared at Sophie, bewildered by her grave words.
"My father, he had seen it before. Admiral Siral. Remember? The last surviving marine from the crew of 20 who went on a rescue mission to the ill-fated MartianExplorer colonial ship" Sophie answered grimly.
"Yes, I knew Admiral Siral. He died only several days after returning to Earth due to his fatal injuries from a Fade. Yet, he had never mentioned anything about 'Gathering of Kharaas' to me before" Reza interrupted suddenly.
"No, it wasn't a Fade" Sophie argued. "It was a Queen. My father told all this to me only because I was his daughter. He claimed the Queen was the size of a building and killed everyone else. But he was lucky, for he fell when the Queen tried to slash him apart. And even so, its talons had got his back, and he barely managed to make it back to the ship and escaped back to Earth"
Everyone remained quiet, pondering over what Sophie had just told them. If this was true, then they had better stop the nukes soon. Reza checked his watch, 59 minutes left. No time left. Yet, between them and the Main Bridge's Captain command board was at least several hundred Kharaas! What were they to do?
Jack took a deep breath and he stepped forward. With his loudest voice ever, Jack shouted. "HEAR ME!!! ALL OF YOU FILTHY KHARAA!!! FOR MY NAME IS JACK ANNOR, UNDERLING OF COMMANDER REZA!!! ALL WHO APPROACHES US SHALL BE SLAYED!!!"
There was a arupt silence, and the Kharaas stopped their chattering. Lerks peeped down curiously at the group, Skulks turned to face them, Fades let out growls of hunger, and the Gorges let out shrill cries.
Reza, Burt, Sophie and Mike stared at Jack in awe, almost not believing what he had just done.
Reza "What did you do that for?"
Jack "Letting them know we are here. Sooner or later, they will find us anyway. May as well alert them first"
Reza "You are crazy, but I like you for that!"
Jack "Are you guys ready?"
Reza "Remember the earlier plan, for now, just shoot like crazy at anything that comes near. Remember, stick together. We fight as one, we think as one, and we die as one!"
Mike "Watch out! Here they come!"
As everyone stood together, the Kharaas all roared loudly in union. Together, the hundreds of Kharaa charged at the 5 humans that stood before them.
/me wubs fire eel
I have just read the whole thing and I think you could become a rich writer someday.
The story is very good with lots of great descriptions of the rooms in. I can't wait for the next chapter.
Memento Mori || Remember You Will Die