boxofmystery | It's a Big Duty

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It's a Big Duty

[The Space Marines hadn't been on the unnamed planet for very long, but so far, this mission had been something of a disaster. Most of the Marines had been injured and they had even lost a couple. Not a good start to what was shaping up to be a long mission.

The distress call had been responded to promptly, however, even with the speed, it appears that they had gotten there much too late. There were a few survivors, but they were few and far between. The Cy-Bugs were programmed well, they took down their targets with ease in most cases.

Despite the danger, it was deemed best that everyone split up so that the area could be searched quicker. Time was of the essence, the Space Marines could defend themselves, the scientists and other civilians didn't have the resources that they did that would keep them safer. The main goal was to find all the survivors and get them to safety, then start a mass elimination of the Cy-Bugs.

The planet was on a strict quarantine, some reinforcements and supplies could be brought in, but no one could leave the planet until the Cy-Bugs were completely destroyed. They were much too dangerous to be let off the planet, just one could cause untold damage.

Ralph had been assigned to check some of the labs, he's bigger and stronger than most of the other Marines, so he was assigned some of the more dangerous sections of the planet.

He kicks down doors, scanning rooms for any signs of life. Occasionally there's a lone Cy-Bug he has to deal with, but, so far, it's been all quiet.

Every now and then, he calls out to anyone that might be able to hear him.]

Hello? Is anybody there? I'm here to rescue you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Dey's supposed to emulate natural sunlight, so probably not.

If dey plants have grown out, ve may have some good cover.

[Oh well, it was a thought, Ralph nods.]

I'm glad for that.

[It could also make the Cy-Bugs and the survivors harder to find, but with his radar, he should be able to spot them before they spot him.]

You said that the hookups all go through here, are there pipes or somethin' we can follow right to the source?

[If someone or something was messing with them, that would take them straight to the problem.]

Should be two floors up, vhere the atmosphere and climate control systems meet in the center.

[Virgil dug through his blood-spattered ripped coat, removing a systems map and offering it to Ralph.]

Take dis, so hyu know vhere to go.

[Ralph nods and carefully takes the map from Virgil and starts looking it over.]

Thanks.

[After a couple of minutes of looking it over, he turns his attention back to the scientist.]

Should we head up that way first? Or is our best bet of findin' survivors straight through the atrium?

Either vay. Dis is de closest access point, ve can see vhat ve pick up along the vay.

[He shrugged casually, tilting his head towards the doorway they had stopped at.]

[Ralph thinks this over.]

If that's the closest way in, I guess we better take it.

[The way upstairs may be blocked off or could take a while, he's trying to hurry this up, so the quickest way in is what seems to be the best.]

Sounds good.

[Virgil opened the door, stepping back and allowing Ralph to lead the way.]

[The atrium is teaming with life- far more than one would expect. Stalks of overgrown and underpicked corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, strawberries and so on bumped the ceiling, tendrils and vines crawling across the floor. Something enormous hung down the center, passing deep below them and high above, tangled in vines. Virgil's eyebrows shot up and he moved closer behind the solder.]

[Ralph goes in without hesitation, but he's taking it slow, in order to get a good look at the situation.

He's scanning the area for any signs of life, sudden movements, broken plants, anything that would signal that someone has been there at some recent point.

Ralph's also keeping an eye on his radar, trying to spot any Cy-Bugs or humans as soon as he can.

He remains silent, not wanting to draw any attention to their position just yet, there's still a chance this place could be full of bugs and not survivors.]

[It quickly becomes apparent that there at least someone has been here. Some corn cobs scattered the floor here and there, long dried. Apple cores sat in mulchy piles of ripe brown.]

[Observing without a word, Virgil tried to keep quiet. His leg betrayed him, hissing with each bend of the knee and the occasional squeal of strain. The young man's eyes stayed trained on the great mass, occasionally craning his head up to see. It seemed to be stemming from what used to be the climate control system, pipes holding it precariously stable.]

Dis ting vasn't here before. Is fascinating.

[His voice was hushed, but full of wonderment[

[Ralph's eyes widen when he sees the remnants of food. Cy-Bugs wouldn't leave a scrap, they ate everything. There definitely had been survivors here at some point, but it was hard to tell how long ago. He starts following the trail of debris, when Virgil speaks up.

He freezes in place and looks back towards the scientist, hissing a hasty whisper at him.]

If it hasn't been there before, then it's probably somethin' the Cy-Bugs caused. We gotta get these survivors out quick before there's any trouble.

[Alright Spaceman, you do that. Virgil has made up his mind, he knows where he's going.]

...Ve check dose two floors up, dey may have tried to fix de system.

[If the cybugs have put something here, the people who ate those corncobs are long dead. The overgrown plants scream abandonment. That growth is the centerpiece, and he's partially responsible for it, just humor him. Or don't, he'll go anyway.]

[Ralph grunts in frustration, he wants to check the lower area for survivors. But, he's got to keep Virgil safe, that's his main duty.]

Fine, maybe we'll get a better view of where the survivors might be at from up there.

[He's willing to go, but he doesn't like it. They should already be halfway down the Tower by now.]

Oh, jah, sure.

[But, Ralph, what is up there is important- it's new! Exciting! It's the best thing he's seen in two weeks! He cares very little for the original plans. Not that he wants to put Ralph in danger, but... you can't not be curious about what the hell this mass of pipes and vines is.]

[He started limping up the grated stairway, grunting in pain more often than not as it echoed off the walls. The sound of hissing air and running water whispers in the background.]

[Ralph lets Virgil lead the way, he doesn't know where the scientist is wanting to go. As he grunts, Ralph frowns.]

Are you sure you're wantin' to do this? I can get ya back to a medic after we exit th' Tower.

[Virgil definitely sounds like he's in pain, he shouldn't be climbing stairs like that.]

[Virgil stopped to rest at the top, sighing.]

Iz just de damn bum leg. Hy can make it to de top, und ve can look at vhats happened here and go on.

[And get a home cooked meal, and some much needed pain medication.]

Trust me.

Well, if yer sure that yer fine...

[He's not so sure about it, but hopefully this wouldn't take too long and then they could get out of the Tower.

Ralph'll wait for Virgil to continue and lead the way, he doesn't want to push his leg too much. He might need it to run.]

[Determined to make it up, Virgil lugs the canon and starts up the next flight of steps. It seems to be getting warmer as they move, the perspiration building up on the scientist's glasses and Ralph's helmet.]

Hy vonder...

[The mass is clearer now, obscuring the view down the next seven floors.]

[Ralph follows after Virgil, every now and then, he tries to wipe off the droplets off the clear part of his helmet, but with his armor, it's difficult and he just ends up making things worse. He checks the temperature and makes a note that it's getting warmer. There's plenty of causes for it, but he's still wary. There's no telling what's actually going on.

He eyes the mass, it's too big for comfort, if it wasn't supposed to be there, then it probably meant trouble.]

What're ya thinkin'?

It looks like... here, look-

[Virgil reached almost dangerously far over the hand rail and yanked a vine, pulling away a small sheet of leaves. The lichen-slick surface of black metal was exposed, gently pulsating with dimmed green lights.]

A cybug assimilated de climate control system. It looks like it ended up keeping it running. Got eaten up by de plants und moisture.

[His whole expression is brightening up.]

Dis is perfect. Its still! It's totally up for study!

[Ralph leans in slightly, wanting to get a better look, but not get too close. He recognizes how similar it looks to Cy-Bugs and Virgil confirms his suspicions right away.

When Virgil excitedly talks about studying the climatebug, Ralph immediately gets a horrified look on his face and growls lightly at the scientist.]

No, it's not up for study. We're here to get you an' any other survivors out, not play poke the Cy-Bug with a stick.

But Ralph!

[Virgil's voice is immediately desperate. He touched the surface of the immense insect again, almost protectively. He looked up with large, sweet pleading eyes.]

Iz perfect for study! All ov our work, my work haz evolved! It's become something new,it haz trapped itself und adapted! Isn't dot vorth studyink?

[Ralph snorts, Virgil's pleas and imploring expression completely lost on him.]

No. It's not. It might be interestin', but if we stick around here, the only thing yer gonna be studyin' is the inside of a Cy-Bug.

[Virgil snorted softly, still rubbing the surface.m. It was warm, the pulsating lights steady. He pulled his eyes away to look directly into Ralph's.]

As if dis could harm us. Can't even see its legs anymore.

[He shook his head gently, greasy unwashed hair falling over his shoulders.]

Dis iz my baby, Ralph. Hy've helped bring desert tings into de vorld. And it's done just vhat it vas originally meant to. Und now it vont hurt anyvun. Isn't it beautiful?

[Is he crying? Yeah, a little. This is the first bug in two weeks that hasn't attacked him. He's seeing what he nearly died making be fruitful. And, he's delirious from malnutrition and exposure.]

hy'm stayink.

[Ralph stares at Virgil as he talks about the Cy-Bug fondly and declares that he's staying. He can't believe what he's hearing.

After several moments of strained silence, Ralph shakes his head.]

No, yer not, yer comin' with me. I think you hit yer head or somethin'.

[He attempts to grab Virgil in order to stuff him under his arm and take him out of here. He's still trying to talk him out of it as he tries to nab him.]

I dunno if this one's dangerous or not, even if it isn't, there's plenty of other bugs 'round here that're dyin' to get their claws on ya.

No, no, no no no-

[Virgil stumbles back against the railing, looking out for a way to dodge out from under Ralph's arms.]

[A great rumble came from the atrium, followed by a cloud of steam. As concerned as the bug is with its parts, that doesn't mean it's reactions are nonexistent. just... delayed.]

[Virgil turned his eyes up in raw horror as the thing began to move. With a great burst of broken vines and scattered leaves a leg, previously clutched against the body, whipped out and punctured the grated walkway. Five others followed, balancing itself without tearing away from the unit.]

[Unearthly clicks echoed off the atrium walls, calling the swarms to this nest and the two living targets inside. It was awake, and it was not happy.]

It's a Big Duty

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