by Ben Hammott
Blightburn stabbed a finger at the screen excitedly. “There it is!”
The drone headed for the fleeing Xtro.
*
Needing to find a location populated with hosts but also at a suitable height to ensure the widespread release of its precious cargo, the Propagator glanced up at the trees it sped by. Spying a tree taller than those surrounding it, it jumped onto the trunk and climbed to the top.
Spotting the Xtro climb, Yuri found a gap in the canopy and lifted the drone above the forest.
*
In the control trailer, everyone studied the Xtro perched at the top of the tree.
The Propagator narrowed its orange eyes at the drone hovering out of reach.
“What’s it doing?” asked Troy.
“It’s thinking,” said Yuri. “I think it knows we’re spying on it.”
“How would it even know what a drone or a camera is?” uttered Troy. “and I’m finding it hard to believe it’s so intelligent.”
“To not underestimate it, we have to assume it is,” said Blightburn, staring into the eyes of the alien staring at her through the screen.
After a few moments, it seemed to lose interest in the drone and turned its head to survey the landscape.
“It’s a shame the drone’s not equipped with suitable firepower to obliterate that thing,” commented Yuri wistfully. “I have a perfect shot.”
After concentrating on something in the distance for a few moments, the Xtro suddenly disappeared into the foliage.
“Turn the drone to see what it was looking at,” ordered Blightburn.
All eyes in the control room stared at the large screen when the camera panned around and came to a stop on Devil Falls.
“It was looking at the town?” said Troy.
“It was, but more specifically, I believe it was the water tower that had captured its interest,” said Blightburn. “It’s full of seeds and what better dispersal point than the highest structure in the vicinity with a ready population to infect.”
“But except for a few soldiers, the town’s empty,” commented Yuri.
“Yes, but the alien doesn’t know that,” corrected Blightburn.
Yuri zoomed in on the water tower. The weatherworn three-foot-high lettering of DEVIL FALLS had become EVIL FAI LS.
“I hope that rings true,” uttered Troy.
Blightburn addressed the mic. “Colonel, we think the large Xtro is heading for the water tower. I don’t care how you do it, but you need to destroy that thing before it has a chance to release its spores. If it succeeds and they are carried on the wind, I’m not sure even our last chance protocol will contain it. We are all aware of the dire consequences if those things reach civilization.”
“Understood. I’m on it.”
Blightburn turned back to the main screen as the drone reentered the forest. “Try and keep it in sight so we can keep the colonel appraised of its position.”
*
As the colonel crossed to his radioman, he glanced at Levitt, sitting against the wheel of a truck. “Snap out of it soldier, the battle has only just begun.”
Still shocked by the death of his comrades and his own near-death encounter with the terrifying Xtro, Levitt climbed to his feet and looked at the colonel. “Yes, sir.”
Arriving at the radio operator, the colonel issued the man his commands. “Order everyone to fall back to the town and regroup at the water tower.”
As the radio operator recalled the troops from the forest, the colonel addressed the remaining men. “The Xtro is heading for the water tower, and it’s imperative we destroy it and the spores it carries at all costs. Everyone in the trucks.”
As soon as they were aboard the vehicles, they sped off to reach the water tower before the Xtro.
*
Yuri powered the drone through the forest, and so far, was managing to keep the fast-moving creature in sight.
“Colonel, you have about two minutes before it reaches the north end of town.”
“We will be at the tower waiting for it in one,” assured the colonel.
*
The trucks sped through the industrial estate and up the twisting track to the water tower. As soon as the three vehicles halted in an area nearby the tall tank supported on metal legs, soldiers poured from each and took up positions around the water tower’s struts.
Three soldiers armed with flamethrowers spread out to cover as much of the area as they were able and relit the pilot flames they had extinguished before boarding the trucks. They would be first to engage the creature. Behind them, four soldiers armed with thermite grenades would take over if the flamethrowers failed to destroy the alien. Designated the M14 incendiary grenade, it was one of the most destructive weapons used by the U.S. military. They are non-exploding powerful incendiary devices that produced intense heat around 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit through a chemical reaction that destroyed anything it touched. It would turn metal molten and burn through an engine block in seconds, so an on-target grenade would obliterate anything organic. However, with a small kill area and a moving target, luck would need to play its part, hence the thermite grenades being used as a second line of defense.
Two soldiers selected a metal ammo crate stenciled with THERMITE CHARGES from one of the trucks, placed it below the water tower, and started securing two on each supporting strut. If the Xtro managed to get past their defenses, the charges would be ignited, sending the tower toppling over the cliff it was perched on. It might not kill the creature, but it could buy them some time while it sought another elevated location to releases its deadly cargo.
Also on hand were three men armed with tranquilizer rifles. If they could get a successful shot at it, the extra strong sedative should at the least slow the creature down enough for it to be destroyed by more destructive methods.
The colonel glanced at the soldiers and satisfied they were prepared as well as they could be without the heavy firepower he longed for, he waited for their alien foe to arrive. It had been a long time since he had seen action, and he was looking forward to the battle.
*
Concentrating on the drone screen, Yuri deftly pursued the Xtro through the trees. When it neared the edge of the forest, it unexpectedly shot to the side and disappeared from his view. Surprised by the creature’s swift and unexpected movement, Yuri was a little slow in turning the drone.
“You’ve lost it!” cursed Blightburn, barely hiding her frustration, the strain of the mission was starting to get to her.
“It can’t have gone far,” assured Yuri calmly. “I’ll soon catch up with it.” He piloted the drone in the direction the creature had fled and panned the camera from side to side, looking for it. Suddenly, the Xtro filled the screen. The branch it held swung at the drone. Yuri jerked the drone higher, but the makeshift weapon smashed into the camera hanging beneath. The screen went black.
“Damn!” cursed Blightburn. “That’s our eyes gone.”
Yuri studied the readings on the drone screen. “The drone is fine, it’s only the camera that’s damaged.”
“What use is the drone if it can’t see?”
“I still have the fixed forward-facing camera.” Yuri switched the view to the backup camera.
“What’s happening?” asked the colonel over the open radio comms.
“Drone trouble,” answered Blightburn. “We lost eyes temporarily but have switched to the secondary camera. Seeking out the Xtro now but assume its heading for you and its arrival is imminent.”
“Understood. We are all set to destroy it.”
“I’ll hold you to that, colonel.”
“Rest assured, seconds after it arrives, it will be nothing but ash and a bad memory.” A scream erupted in the background.
“What was that?” asked Blightburn, fearing the worse.
“Burn the damn thing!” barked the colonel.
“Colonel, what’s happening?”
The radio remained silent.
Blightburn w
as about to order Yuri to get the drone to the water tower ASAP when she noticed he had predicted her command. She focused on the drone screen showing the industrial units it flew over, and the distant water tower where bursts of liquid flame around its base shot into the air; they were under attack.
CHAPTER 53
Evicted
After checking everything was ready, Hilleman nodded to Doctor Drexler, Wendell’s replacement, to turn on the sevoflurane gas, a secondary precaution to anesthetize the hybrid when it vacated its host, and if the anesthetizing serum failed to work. As the soft hiss of escaping gas filled the laboratory, she picked up the syringe from the nearby table and glanced at their third failsafe; a soldier armed with a tranquilizer rifle.
Private Berry was sweating profusely in the uncomfortable blue positive pressure protective suit. The gloves also made it difficult to feel the trigger, but he was confident he would be able to fire the weapon if needed. The only saving grace was the cool fresh oxygen pumped into the suit. He raised the rifle when Hilleman looked at him and aimed it at the infected female on the operation table as the scientist prepared to inject her. Although he had been warned about what might happen, he wasn’t looking forward to the alien hybrid bursting from the female.
Wary of the tentacles moving beneath her patient’s skin, Hilleman placed the tip of the syringe needle against a vein, pushed it in, and pressed the plunger until the chamber was empty. She stood back and waited.
In the comms trailer, Blightburn and Kathryn stared at the laboratory feed screen. Concerned for her friend and praying the experiment would be successful, Kathryn studied Claire’s face. Thankfully, she was blissfully unaware of what was about to happen. Kathryn emitted a startled gasp when a tentacle burst through Claire’s skin.
Berry also gasped and almost accidentally pulled the trigger when the parasitic hybrid ripped through the female's skin.
Hilleman shot Berry a warning glance and waved a hand at him to hold off firing too soon; they had to wait for it to be entirely free of its host.
Although Drexler had viewed the footage of the laboratory experiment gone wrong, so knew what to expect, he was still shocked to see it happen in real life. Backing away a few steps, he hoped the debilitating gas filling the room would soon take effect.
Remaining as calm as she could, Hilleman observed the hybrid alien twist its thin stems together. She maintained her ground when it turned and looked at her and only stepped back when it pulled its root ball from its host and slithered to the floor. “Now!” she shouted.
Berry fired a tranquilizer dart at the stem, striking it near the base. He dropped the rifle as the tip turned to him and grabbed another already loaded leaning against the wall. The hybrid rushed at him on root-formed legs. He fired again, turned the weapon, and swung it at the plant, skidding it across the floor. It recovered quickly and resumed its attack, but before it had covered half the distance, it stumbled to the floor. It weakly tried to raise itself but flopped down and lay still.
Pleased the plan had worked this time, Hilleman turned to Drexler, who stared at the unconscious hybrid. “Drexler, your patient needs attention.”
Her words roused him from his inaction. He turned off the sevoflurane, grabbed the trolley of medical equipment he had prepared earlier, and pushed it over to the operating table.
The Doctor’s assistants who had been waiting outside entered the airlock and looked at the motionless alien hybrid Hilleman and Berry were lifting into the examination chamber. As soon as they had secured the chamber door, they entered and rushed to aid Drexler in patching up Claire. Connecting medical apparatus, preparing bandages, and assisting Drexler in sewing up Claire’s wounds.
Hilleman pressed a button and watched gas-fueled flames turn the alien parasite into harmless ash.
“Well done, everyone,” congratulated Blightburn over the radio. “Doctor Drexler, how is she?”
Drexler checked her vitals on the monitor before responding. “She’ll have a few scars, but as far as I can tell, she’ll live.”
“That’s a relief. I’ll inform the other teams to begin removing the hybrids from their patients. Let me know if anything changes.”
Drexler nodded and continued administering aid to his patient.
Once they had received confirmation that the eviction experiment had worked, they viewed the digital footage to know what to expect. The two teams standing by in the quarantine rooms surrounded by soldiers with flamethrowers, set to the task of removing the hybrids from their patients.
In the Comms room, Kathryn turned away from the screens to look at Blightburn. “So, it worked. All the infected can be cured.”
Blightburn nodded. “If nothing changes, it seems they can.”
Kathryn turned her attention to the main screen as Yuri had switched to the high viewpoint of the water tower sent from the drone. “Then shouldn’t you warn your men not to kill any more of the infected?”
Blightburn focused on the main screen. “It might not be that simple.” She turned to Uri. “Patch me through to Novak.”
Uri switched on the main comms.
“Joan, what’s the update there?”
“We are about finished. Just bagging and tagging the last of the samples.”
“Good. I need you to head into town. You are needed at the old ore processing plant as it looks like we might have another cocoon under construction.”
“Understood Control. I’ll hitch a ride on one of the retrieval quads about to head back to base.”
“We are not sure what you’ll find in there, but it is imperative nothing escapes. Burn it to the ground if you have to. There are thermite charges on site.”
Blightburn ended the call and refocused on the bank of monitors to see what was happening elsewhere.
CHAPTER 54
Water Tower Battle
The colonel jerked his head to the scream and glimpsed the swiftly moving Xtro attacking his men. “Burn the damn thing!”
After coming across the humans between it and the tall tower it needed to reach, the Propagator didn’t hesitate to attack. It leaped from the forest and rushed at the soldiers, slashing and stabbing clawed and pointed limbs at any within its reach. Others were lifted off their feet and thrown at those slow to react to the savage onslaught. Leaving behind a trail of dead, dying, and wounded, it reached the tower unscathed, leaped onto a strut, and climbed.
Having previously been unable to use the weapons without hitting their comrades, but now free of the throng, the men armed with the flamethrowers shot streams of deadly liquid fire after the Xtro climbing the tower, causing the Propagator to screech when fire licked at its limbs. It speedily climbed out of range and clambered onto the top of the massive tank. When it looked over the edge to check if the humans were following, gunshots rang out. One creased its head, driving it back as bullets pinged off the metal tank. It crossed to the center and turning upside down, its tentacles raised its pregnant belly to the heavens as it prepared to release its spores into the human world.
Witnessing the Xtro dodge the barrage of firepower that had failed to kill it, the colonel’s gaze scanned his soldiers. Spotting who he searched for, he yelled, “Blow the tower, now!”
The soldiers around the base moved back as the thermite charges burst into intense white flame and melted through the metal supports. The two struts nearest the cliff had been placed lower than the rear charges to ensure the top-heavy tower toppled over the edge. It was hoped the long drop would kill or injure the Xtro, at least enough to prevent it from escaping until the flamethrowers and thermite grenades could obliterate it out of existence.
Metal screeched as the weakened legs gave way. Waterpipes feeding the tank and the town below, snapped under the strain when the top-heavy tower tipped to the side. Unable to bear the full weight of the water-filled container, the front legs buckled. The farther the tower tipped, the more it increased in speed before dropping over the edge. The soldiers rushed forward to watch it fall.
*****
When the effects of the sedative had worn off, Boris seemed none the worse for the experience and was, as usual, hungry. Having been stood down by Blightburn, who was still angry at them for disobeying her, Colbert, Sullivan, Mason, and Richard took Boris to the food truck so they could all get something to eat. They were glad of the chance to grab some much-needed R&R. It had been a hectic twenty-four hours, and the Xtros were still as great a threat as ever.
Tucking into his burger and fries, Richard once again turned his thoughts to taking his leave. “Colbert. You need to contact Blightburn and get her to arrange a truck for my meteorite so I can leave.”
Colbert unclipped his radio mic and handed it to Richard. “Ask her yourself.”
Forced to lean close to Colbert because of the short cable, Richard pressed the talk button. “Richard to Blightburn.”
“What is it, Richard, I’m a little busy here dealing with the aliens you let loose?”
“You should be pinning medals on me, not blame. I did save your asses, and let’s not forget the world, back in Russia.”
“Get to the point.”
“I’m leaving. I have kept my part of the bargain, so it’s time for you to honor yours and arrange delivery for me and my meteorite to England. And I’ll be taking Boris with me to prevent you from experimenting on him again.”
“You’re a distraction I’ll be glad to be rid of. The scientists have checked the meteorite and found nothing that would pose a threat to humanity, so you can have it. If there is one that can be spared, I’ll get you a truck and driver. You and your precious rock will be taken to the nearest airbase and flown to England. I’ll let you know where and you can then arrange for it to be delivered anywhere you want.”
