StarCraft: Infested.

"Sir, how’s his condition?”
“He appears to still be in paralysis, we’re analysing the report given by one of the Scientists work on Florna V.”

“Says there was a Zerg infestation sir…”
“Impossible. The Zerg were wiped out 3 years ago!”

“Apparently not, we got signs of Creep covering most of the planet.”
“How’d this go un-noticed?”

“Seems the locals went a bit crazy according to this report.”

 

“We’re preparing to drop! Sam, get your ass in gear!” the pilot scrambled up to the Dropships cockpit, switching buttons and pressing things. The thrusters turned on, letting a wave of heat rush past. Sat on a cargo box, Sam, in his heavy, navy blue battle armour, lifted his war-scarred eyes and looked at the burning light from the engines. “I’m coming you bunch of pansies” The bulky suit stomped across to the waiting ship. The other Marines entered at a more eager and energetic pace. They don’t know what they could be stepping into. Newbies, the lot of them.

One of the newbies approached Sam, lifting his visor revealing his fresh-shaved face. “Sa, right?”
Sam looked up slowly, reaching the man’s eyes “Who’s askin?”

“My name’s Private Ben, I’ve heard a lot about you. What was it like fighting the Zerg?  I wish I got a chance to fight em”

Sam looked chocked, like pure hatred flowed through his veins. He rose up “You wanna know what it’s was like?” He put his hand on Bens chest plate, pushing him to the side of the Dropship “Because I’ll make you wish you never wanted to fight them. Imagine endless swarms of dog sized aliens running towards you bearing rows of razor sharp claws or human sized bugs burning your friends with acid spi” Another Marine, Corporal Daymon grabbed him mid speech, “Enough, Sam.” Sam shrugged it off before returning to his seat. Over the intercom, the pilot spoke “Gentlemen, if you could kindly take your seats, we’re ready for lift off” The Marines took their places, a hulking Marauder also took a seat.

Confused, Private Reece asked “If it’s just a Recon Mission, why’d we need a Marauder?”
The pilot replied “Comm said there were unknown readings pinging off the planet after it went dark, in other words, we have no idea what to expect”

Suddenly a hologram appeared in the centre of the Dropship, there, projected in a green shade was Prince Valarian. “Ok men, as you’re probably aware, the main Colony on Florna has gone dark. We don’t know what has caused this as we never received a distress call. I want you to scout the area and report back on anything strange.” In a synchronised pattern, all the Marines nodded their heads and agreed to his orders. The hologram sunk back into the ships computer.
“Alright lads, we’ll be landing 2 klicks out of the main complex, prepare for a treck!”
Private Reece asked in a confused tone “Why the long distance?”

“We have no idea what’s down there. Protoss have still been reported to be in this Sector. We gotta be careful”.

“Protoss?” Suddenly a sense of fear slithered through the hearts of the Marines. Sam leaned forward “Yeah, the Protoss. Mean bunch of psychics, they’ll hack into your mind and mess you up!” He let out a slight laugh “I’m kidding with ya, they’re easy once you out smart them”

The Dropship switched its engines into landing mode. Leaves and dirt flew up as the thrusters pushed against the earth. Tiny creatures fled into the bushes. The Dropships lift descended and the Squad stood there bold. Like a true organized team, two Marines jumped out first, their C-14 Rifles poised in the air. The Marauder jumped next, his heavy 5-4 Armoured Infantry Suit making a thud as he landed, then raising his Quad K12 grenade Launchers he covered the squads ‘6’. The Medic dropped out next followed by another Marine who was shortly followed by Sam, casually walking out.

“Area’s clear sir!” Private Ben announced, raising a hand.
“Well of course it is son, what were you expecti-“ Sam halted and raised his Rifle in a split second, running and barging Private Reece who was up front outta the way “ZERG!” A bushed rustled, and a laser pointer lined up towards it coming from the Rifle. Suddenly a figure emerged. In torn clothes, they stood there shaking. “D-don’t shoot! Please!” The man fell to his knees as Sam lowered his Rifle.
The Medic rushed to the man “My name’s Alice, I’m here to help you ok?” The other Marines gathered around the two forming a circle, while Sam was out of it by a few meters with his hand to his head, sweating.

Corporal Daymon got onto one knee and began to speak with the man while Alice flashed a light into the man’s eyes and mouth. “Can you tell me what happened here?”
The man remained silent as he was examined. Alice saw his lips were dry and crusty “Get this man some water!” Private Ben approached with a flask of water, handed it to the man and he snatched it and downed it “You’re welcome” Ben mocked. 
Alice placed her hand on the man’s shoulder, “Ignore the grunt,” Ben snickered in response and walked off in a chilled manor “, Can you tell me your name?” she calmly asked the man.

“M-Michael…” His pale, skinny body shacked as he spoke.

“Hello Michael, we’re here to help you. Can you tell me what happened here?”
His eyes suddenly shrunk and he places his hands on his head “They… THEY! OH GOD THEY! THEY OVER RUN US. SLAUGHTERED US LIKE WE WERE PIGS. HIDE. I HAD TO. I WATHCED THEM BEING BUTCHERED” He began to enter a crazed state of panic and fear, wriggling around on the floor.
“Gonna sedate him!” Alice pulled out a needle and injected him in the arm, knocking him out almost instantly.
Daymon stood up from his kneeled position, lifted his faceplate and said “Oh great, now we have a body to carry. Reece, you’re on carry duty”
“Yes Sir” Reece bent over and picked Michaels body up.

Daymon stood in front of the squad to address it. “Alright pansies, we’ve got a egghead knocked out and a colony gone dark. Prepare for anything you here?”

The Squad got ready to move out, Sam leaned against a tree checking his rifle. Alice slowly approached. “Not much of a group guy are ya?”

Sam looked away from his rifle and stared her in the eyes. “I lost my entire squad to the Zerg 4 years ago. I’ve never been able to forget how they went.”
“I’m sorry,” Alice looked down but looked back up shortly after “, We need you Sam, you’re their inspiration, they’re new and want to show you that they’re worth it. Don’t act like a Ghost.”
There grew and awkward silence around the area.  Suddenly Sam looked up, let out a little smile, revealing a row of white teeth “You know what? You’re right. What happened in the past happened. The Zerg are gone, there’s no need to fear.”

Sam took to the front of the squad and marched them slowly on. Stepping over logs and flora, Barron, in his hulking Marauder suit took a moment to stare at something in the trees. His HUD zoomed in and the thing hiding moved away out of his view. Reece turned around, “Hey bulkhead, you’re not getting tired on us are ya?” Snapping out of his gaze, Barron looked to Reece
“No, just thought I saw something”
“Well we are in a jungle man, keep it together.”

Again, the squad carried on.

In the trees, the creature dangled , watching  the squad move and look around. It let out a small growl before swinging away.

About half an hour had passed and the squad was almost at their location. Sam raised his hand to halt the squad. “Movement.”
Ben butted in “Ya know, it could just be another egghead right?”
Almost whispering Sam replied “I know, but you never know… Come out!”
The bush in front of them began to shuffle and a low emitting growl emerged. It’s feet thudded on the floor as it came out, snarling as it did. Sam lowered his rifle “No…”

The figure let out a roar.
“FIRE!”

End of Part 1.