Refuge by Magnus Cain
Subterranean cave walls dripped with green glowing condensation,rising from the Hive’s incubation chamber. The Hive’s next generation, thefirst born on this new world, would soon hatch. They were geneticallyengineered to thrive on this world, and with their work, the Hive could trulyconsider the planet as their home. Khnōsakh, one of the supervisingSoul-Snatchers, surveyed the scene before him with pride. This was their firstoutpost on this world, but more would follow soon.
Deep beneath the planet’s surface, this complex natural cave system had given them theideal starting point for their settlement of this world. Far from the conflictsof the greater Sirius Sector, his Hive might finally find a place where theycould thrive in peace. Soon, their Hive Lord would arrive with the rest oftheir people.
Khnōsakh moved through the vast network of tunnels, observing asworkers carved out more chambers carefully expanding the natural reach of thecaves. Their claws made a scraping rhythm as they cut through the thickvegetation and ancient rock layers. Soon, this humble outpost would be a city,able to provide for their every need. A jewel at the heart of their new world.
Khnōsakh heard a shout of celebration as suddenly a trickle of watergave way to a torrent from the cave ceiling. Fresh, running water, now ran intothe very heart of the outpost. The Grunts paused to look on their success, butthey soon hurried back to work as they noticed Khnōsakh’s presence behind them. The Soul-Snatcher gave a narrow smile witha nod of approval, before carrying on his patrol.
Eventually, Khnōsakh finished his round through the outpost and approached thesurface. The orange sky was darkening as dusk descended. The night would notlast long, and the sun would rise in a few hours, bringing intense humidity andrain.
A neon sea of lush vegetation lay before the Snatcher’s fourbeaming eyes. Dense clusters of trees littered the cavern, each dressed in thefur of vibrant mosses and lichens which sprang up from the endless swamp'smurky depths, covering much of the in a layer of shallow water.
The Genesmiths had seen to it that some in the next generationwould be born with webbed feet and fingers. They would glide through the swampas well as any creature evolved on this world over millennia. Khnōsakh basked in the sight of the newworld’s abundance, assured that the Hive would prosper.
It was a place where they would create their future, far from theconflicts of the past that had cost his ancestors so much. Before proceedingwith his patrol, the Snatcher took in one final look across the realm with asmile.
While turning to resume his patrol duties, he froze as he caught aglimmering shape in the distance, piercing through the atmosphere. Trailed by aburning white tail, the comet surged toward the ground, growing larger.Before it sank below the horizon, Khnōsakh saw it slow down, spitting flames towards the ground. It wasnot a comet at all, but a metal spacecraft. The kind of crude, destructive toolused by those who did not understand the subtleties of genetic sciences. Thosewho had fought with his Hive’s ancestors and had sought to drive them toextinction.
Khnōsakh ran to his lord as quickly as his legs would carry him.Before he knew it, he was in the presence of the Hive’s Snatcher Lord, who questioned him cautiously on the matter.
“I saw only one such craft, Lord Arādheis.”
“Did you see any markings to tell you their species orcaste?" said the Snatcher Lord, running the back of his claw beneath hischin in contemplation, "It is important to know whether we are dealingwith workers, soldiers, or scouts.”
“My apologies, Lord Arādheis; I only saw it from a distance.” Khnōsakh bowed, “Any markings were too small to see.”
“We must act swiftly, and carefully then,” Arādheis nodded as he looked to thedistance, “We cannot risk a confrontation before the rest of our Hivearrives, but hiding ourselves away presents its own risks... especially if theyactually are warriors or colonists seeking to claim this world from us.”
“Do you think they are coming to wage war?” Khnōsakh did his best to conceal hisfeelings, a mix of curiosity and eagerness, a desire to discover what hisancestors had once fought and perhaps avenge them.
“It is too early to be sure. They may not even know that we arehere,” Arādheis shook his head as he looked down at the eager, young,Snatcher, “Stay here and observe, Khnōsakh. It will serve you well. I have already called for a SynapseFloater.”
Khnōsakh rose and approached his Lord’s side. Soon, a Synapse Floater arrived. Under Arādheis’ command, the Floater closed its eyes and entered a trance. Abuzzing hum filled the air. Its tentacles tensed and wriggled as if scanning anunseen map; ichor dripped from its maw.
Finally, the Floater screeched a high-pitched squeal and openedits eyes. “They are... beyond the range of our scout spores,” gurgled theFloater, “But there are faint traces of heat... twenty-four kilometres from ouroutpost.... That... is where they landed.”
Arādheis nodded, and looked to Khnōsakh, “Send a Shadow Hunter. Have them scout the landing site, determinethe intentions of the trespassers and report back. Do not engage the crew.”
Still in the window of the planet’s short night, Nīseis advanced nimbly through theswampland, carrying out the mission that Khnōsakh had given her. She slinked betweenshrouded trees with careful footfalls, cutting into the water’s surfacesilently. Her keen eyes scanned the vast black of her surroundings for anymovement, picking up every slight detail, from the fall of a leaf to theslightest skittering of the native creatures.
She lowered her frame below the water’s surface, leaving only hereyes peeking above, surveying. Then, using her four arms, she pulled herselfcloser, using the submerged bases of surrounding trees as leverage. Soon, adistant light shone through the silhouettes of thin tree trunks.
She could see the smooth metal carapace of the craft above the topof the leafy canopy. She approached carefully, each step moving with a measuredgrace born of genetic engineering and a lifetime of practice. Beneath theship’s floodlights, she spotted the movement of several humanoids sloshingthrough the water. These humanoids had purple skin, wore orange banded armour,and were short and thin to the Nīseis’ eyes.
Some hacked away at vines and foliage, clearing the brush withglinting, square blades. Some were constructing temporary shelters in thecleared area while others were holding rifles and appeared to be patrolling thearea.
The sun would rise soon, “It is time to leave,” her well-honedinstincts knew that to linger any longer without the cover of night was a risk.“Still,” she frowned, “We must discover what their purpose is here.”
She lingered for some time, observing the trespassers as theyexpanded their base. They were about thirty in number and appeared to have noplans to leave soon. Most of them wore a light metal carapace, implying thatthey were likely of their soldier caste or at least expected danger.
“This is perhaps enough…” Nīseis thought as she observed thattwilight had already begun to illuminate the clearing and to stay any longerwould be an unacceptable risk. She began to creep away, but then she heard thefaint spatter of water behind her.
Nīseis whipped around and spotted four soldiers, rifle barrelsraised and pointed towards her. She slowly rose from the swamp water. She saw alook of surprise mixed with fear as the soldiers realized how much she toweredabove them. There was no escaping their notice now.
There were several long seconds of silence.
One of the soldiers muttered a few words to the others in theirstrange language. Her presence had not been expected; they were all nervous butNīseis hoped that there might still be a chance to avoid bloodshed.Nīseis took a deep breath and bowed her head.
The next thing she felt was a searing sting in her flesh as an energy boltripped through the meat of her abdomen. A single shot, without an order, fromone of the nervous soldiers.
Nīseis shrieked in pain. As they heard her roar, the order came. Theothers fired after their captain’s command. From behind her, she heard thesloshing approach of the others from the camp, closing the distance. She wassurrounded.
Nīseis rapidly moved to close the distance, lunging herself at thenearest attacker. She dipped down to avoid incoming fire, sliced wide with alow strike for a takedown, and severed the closest ambusher's calf entirelyfrom his leg.
His comrades scattered and began to call out to the camp. Theirback up would arrive soon so there was no time to waste. Nīseis drew back her talons and leaptover him, retreating into the mass of trees.
Behind her, the soldiers had formed a gunline. Nīseis felt a bolt slice into her beforeshe heard the discharge. Her blood stained the foliage but her adrenalinepushed her forward. By the time the second volley could be fired, she hadalready disappeared into the safety of the treeline.
*****
The journey back to the Hive was difficult for Nīseis. By the time she arrived, the rainwas oppressive, beating down on her exposed flesh. Her adrenaline reserves werespent and she collapsed as she came into sight of the Hive entrance.
Khnōsakh had been waiting for her however, and with the help of someworkers, he carried her into the Hive. Khnōsakh planned to bring her to anincubation chamber, where the fluids might seal her wounds, but Nīseis insisted on delivering her messageto the Lord without delay.
Lord Arādheis frowned as he saw Nīseis’ condition, a frown which grew deeper as he saw the trail of bloodthat followed her. Her path would not be difficult to follow, even for anunskilled tracker.
“Unknown species. Over thirty, soldier caste. Well-armed.” Nīseis coughed, “They came with intent. They’re building a base camp. I do not think they were aware of usbefore they saw me...”
Arādheis nodded solemnly, “You have done your duty to the Hive. May your soul find rest.”
Khnōsakh moved to carry her out but Arādheis stopped him, “Her wounds are fatal. To drag her further would only bring herunnecessary pain.”
Arādheis looked to Khnōsakh and spoke solemnly, “Prepare our defences, as we had planned. Gather the otherSnatchers and evacuate the workers to the safe points. I will perform thefuneral rites and then join you.”
The outpost was silent for the first time since the Hive had cometo this world. Along with his clutchmates, Khnōsakh awaited the invaders in themid-levels of the cave network, ready to attack with a wave of claws should theinvaders make it past the initial defences. Arādheis stood behind them with a SynapseFloater who reported his findings as he scanned through the cave system for theintruders.
As the intruders breached the surface entrance, they found thearea vacant; the pitch-black caves flooded with the prying light of theirenergy weapons.
The entrance broke into three tunnels.
“Jade Team, take the left tunnel. Amber Team, to the right. Reportyour findings. Should your comms fail, retreat to this position. Stay vigilant.For the Dynasty.”
“For the Dynasty!” echoed the warriors. Then, two squads of fiveseparated from the main group and proceeded toward their assigned destinations.
“The rest will make up Onyx Team, with me.” He gestured an advanceorder and took the lead.
Amber Team crept through their narrow, designated tunnel, whichforced them into a single-file formation. Their feet were slick with rain, andthe awkward jottings of the smoothed cave floor proved perilous. Every fiftyyards, they noted their status across comms. Soon, the tunnel opened into alarge, open chamber. They edged in through the opening, fanned out, and raisedtheir weapons.
As the glow of their weapons illuminated the area, they saw theshape of fleshy orbs covering the cave's ceiling.
“What are these things?” whispered a squad member, “Should we takethem out?” He shouldered his rifle and took aim.
The Amber Team leader held up a fist, then signalled something. Adifferent squad member stepped forward in front of the squad, crouched, and levelledher weapon toward the ceiling. When she pulled the trigger, a splash ofspitting flames billowed upward. The heat ripped across the fleshy ceiling as awet sizzle filled the air. Next, an earth-shaking explosion cracked into thechamber, rumbling the entirety of the Hive as it eviscerated Amber Team in theblink of an eye.
The shockwave rippled through the earthen foundations, sending apath of collapsing rock that reached the distance of the Hive entrance, sealingthe exit, and blocking off any easy path of escape for the intruders.
“The spore trap was... successful,” reported the Synapse Floater.“Five intruders... have been destroyed.”
The Arādheis nodded solemnly. “Continue your surveillance.”
In the main tunnel, now flooded with a cloud of ashen debris, the intruder’sleader shouted through his comms device, “Amber Team! What was that? Amber Team,come in, are you there?” No response came. “Amber Team, report!” Still, noresponse. “Blast! Comm connections are down.”
The captain scanned behind them at the caved-in pathway.
“There’s no getting through that mess.” The captain clenched histeeth and shook his head in defeat. “We’re abandoning this mission. Keep movingforward; we need to find another way out of this death trap.”
*****
“Come in, Onyx Team, come in!” begged the Jade Team’s leaderthrough her comm unit. Her squad had backtracked to find their tunnel collapsedin as well. Squad mates tried to pull away rocks and work their way through,but whenever they could finally displace one boulder, two more fell into itsplace immediately.
Eventually, surrendering to the onslaught of fallen rock, JadeTeam moved on. As they crept forward, guided by the glow of their weaponry,their leader said, “Up ahead, I hear running water. Maybe, we can follow it toa way out. Let's go.”
They found the water source but saw only a spout of water flowingfrom the rock above into a filled basin upon the cave floor below.
“We can’t scale these walls; it's no use,” one of the warriorsshook his head as he desperately searched for something to grip. The squadstood for a moment, staring at the falling water in despair. At their ankles, ashroud of mist swelled up from beneath the water line of the basin, unnoticed.
“Come on,” the warrior looked over to the rest of the team behindhim, “We’ve got to get out of this pit; we need to keep movi—” His last words were cut off by acoughing fit. His squad could barely see him as he collapsed into the thickvenomous haze which spread through the chamber.
“Weapons up! Move! Move! Move!'' The squad leader barked an order,but it was too late; the mist blinded their sense of direction. Their weapons’guiding lights couldn’t cut through the thick fog, leaving them completelyblinded. Soon, they were calling out to each other in the fog, finding onlysmooth rock walls as they tried to retrace their path
A slick slither echoed around them as something moved through themists.
Soon, only the echo of screams could be heard as unseen whipslashed at them from the glowing cloud. Sharp stingers pierced through thesquad's body armour and sunk into their purple skin, injecting poison intotheir muscle. Desperate shots blasted randomly through the room until thechamber fell silent, save for the foamy gurgle of Jade team’s last breaths.
“Our Venom Floaters... have terminated another squad,” the SynapseFloater reported, “The main enemy force has reached the mid-levels of thecavern.”
Khnōsakh scraped his claws into a thick root coiled along the cavefloor, sharpening his weapons as he waited. The team of Snatchers, five innumber, listened for the approaching enemy as they hid in ambush points spacedaround the perimeter of the chamber. The shudder of the spore trap stillcrawled through Khnōsakh’s skin, and he was anxious to avenge his fallen comrade.
“Half of the enemy’s forces have been eliminated,” Arādheis’s voice echoed through Khnōsakh’s mind, “The rest are moving on this location. Ready yourselves.” They wereclose enough that total silence was now necessary.
Soon, distant reflections of the intruder’s weapon glow ekedthrough the darkness of the main tunnel. The soldiers slowly filed into theentrance of the expansive chamber, scanning the area with sweeps of shoulderedrifles, ready to fire.
“Wait…” Arādheis’s voice rang through his mind. The enemy leader glanced around thecave, studying its many divergent pathways. Khnōsakh heard low whispers shared betweenthe soldiers. The leader signalled with his hand, and they cautiously continueddeeper into the caverns.
“Wait…” The soldiers were headed deeper, towards the incubationchambers. The Soul Snatcher’s muscles constricted as he looked toward his Lordimpatiently. His breath quickened with anticipation for what was to come.
“Ready…” Arādheis gripped the floor to propel himself. The soldiers reachedthe centre of the chamber, the lowest point.
“Now!” The Arādheis’ command rang in the Khnōsakh’s mind, igniting his adrenal gland as the Snatcher Lord sprung outfrom behind his cover. Arādheis’ muscly legs hammered against the ground as he bound towards thesoldiers.
“On our right!” shouted the enemy leader, pointing at Arādheis as he approached rapidly. “Fire, fire, fire!” The soldiers turned towards Arādheis and discharged a hail of rifleblasts, illuminating the cavern in flickering waves of radiant green.
Shot after shot riddled the Snatcher Lord, peppering him withnumerous searing wounds. Still, Arādheis barrelled through the mass of gunfire without slowing. Ahellish shriek ripped through the cavern as a deep pulse throbbed from histemples and shattered into the soldiers.
With the soldiers’ attention on their lord, Khnōsakh and his clutch charged the gunline’s blindsides from its flank. The soldier’s cries of warning weredrowned out by screams of pain as Khnōsakh’s claws found their way through the ornate armoured plating.
With the soldier’s morale splintered and most of them dead, thetwo survivors ran into the sprawling network. The Snatchers had lost two oftheir own, but it was clear that they had won. Khnōsakh and his two remaining compatriotspursued the fleeing soldiers. Arādheis lumbered after them, clutching his wounds.
The soldiers were soon lost in the maze of the Hive network.
Khnōsakh, ahead of his brood, crept right upon the backs of his prey.One of the soldiers, pistol in hand whipped around and lit the form of theSnatcher. The soldier’s face trembled in terror and was frozen with fear.Before he got a shot off with the pistol, Khnōsakh disarmed him with a swipe of hisclaws. The second soldier leapt as he panickily pointed his rifle into the impenetrabledarkness.
“Hold,” Arādheis’ voice echoed through Khnōsakh’s mind, “They have lost this battle. Let me speak to them.”
Arādheis hobbled forward from the shadows behind. Khnōsakh stepped back and waited for along, tense moment as the armed soldier nervously swung his rifle around topoint at Khnōsakh and then Arādheis. Yet, slowly, Khnōsakh watched as comprehension seemed to dawn on this creature andit slowly set down its rifle.
“Enough blood has been spilt,” Arādheis shook his head, “Khnōsakh, guide them back to their craft. They will tell their kindthat they are to leave and not return.”
Khnōsakh clutched his claws together for a moment as he felt his rageboil up. He had been the one who had chosen Nīseis to go and it was by their handsshe had died. It was by their hands that Arādheis himself had been so badly maimed,but then he felt Arādheis’ voice echo though his mind once more.
“We have seen too many worlds awash in blood, but revenge will notbring back the dead while mercy may still spare the living. If we are buildinga future for our Hive here, let it be a brighter one.”
