It's a Big Duty

[wreckyeah]

[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.

Comments

[wreckyeah]

[As frustrated as Ralph is with Virgil, he's still his charge. He grunts in frustration, then hustles over to try and stand in front of him before the Cy-Bug's legs reach him.

Ralph aims the flamethrower at whichever leg happens to be closest and turns it up full blast. He just hopes that it's enough to cause the Cy-Bug to withdraw both of its legs.]

[nobirdsallowed]

[The thing withdrew one smoldering leg, turning its snapping, bottomless maw in their direction to try and get at the pair. The two legs on the floor below jumped up, banding against the grating and jostling them viciously.]

[Virgil clutched at the floor, eyes wide and teeth clenched. The weight of the broken prosthetic prevented him from standing to avoid the remaining leg.]

[The young scientist's eyes went wide as it came hard down on his back, slashing through his coat. He stared up at Ralph, expression empty and pleading.]

Oh...

[wreckyeah]

[There's too many legs. There's legs and teeth and they're coming from too many directions. Ralph can handle a normal Cy-Bug or two on his own with his own gun. But, this is different, he's fighting a giant Cy-Bug with an unfamiliar weapon and he's trying to protect Virgil all at once.

It's too much.

He can't watch all the legs, he can't always focus on the teeth, he can't even keep his eyes on Virgil, because he's got to watch the legs and the teeth.

Ralph's flaws in taking care of his charge become immediately apparent when Virgil is struck a vicious blow. He's seen that expression too many times and this time, it's his fault.

But, Ralph can't dwell on that now, he can't even comfort Virgil in what are probably his last moments. If he does, then he'll end up like the scientist.

Ralph drops the flamethrower to the floor, scrambling to pick up his own gun. He makes eye contact with Virgil in the process and manages to say something briefly as he goes past.]

I'm sorry.

[He wheels around to face the bug, firing several different explosive shots at its face.]

[nobirdsallowed]

[His mind is going a mile a minute, the commotion slowed down to single ticks. A few drops of blood hit the grating and the young man brought a finger tenderly to his lip. It came away stained red, and he stared at it wonderingly. It was a good thing he couldn't see the shower of it coming from his midsection.]

[The leg pinning him down raised up, taking him with it. Virgil was passed from one claw to the other, and he met Ralph's eyes momentarily. Oh god, he was sorry. This was his fault. He was a goddamn idiot, bringing them up here. Oh, but there wasn't much he could do about it now.]

[The next thing he found himself looking at was an ocean of blades. That really had been a good design choice, huh? If he had been able to feel anything, it wouldn't have been for long. And then, it just blinked out. The bug now had its full attention to focus on Ralph.]

[wreckyeah]

[Ralph shoots at the bug while it's distracted with Virgil. He doesn't want to think about how he's failed the scientist, how there could have been so many different ways he could've saved Virgil. But, he didn't take any of those options, so he's stuck with the here and now. A giant Cy-Bug with unknown abilities had killed Virgil and was coming after him next.

It seems that his attacks are completely shrugged off by the Cy-Bug, it doesn't even drop Virgil until it's ready to consume him.

Finally, it looks towards him, Ralph grits his teeth and braces himself for the coming battle.]