I was the last one out of the transport. The infantrymen who were with me started lining up in formation inside of the large hangar we landed in. Our ship was the only one in here. Gripped my mop tighter. What was I supposed to be doing?

“We’re going with the original plan. Split up in two groups. We meet at the bridge. If any of you see a survivor, call on radio and keep them with you at all times. Janitor, you’re with me,” Humphrey said.

Humphrey gave a nice motivational speech before commencing the operation. I was on Alpha Team. We were tasked with exploring the eastern side of the ship, while Bravo was to take on the west. My orders? Stay in the middle of the group and keep out of danger. Sounded easy enough.

Both teams did a thorough investigation of the hangar before we set off. No signs of activity, human or alien. It would make sense for the place to be empty since the civilians didn’t appear to use the hangar at all. When the all-clear was given, Alpha and Bravo split off from each other. Our team went to the right side of the hangar. There was a pretty big silver door in front of us. Humphrey went up and inspected it.

“Weapons ready, everyone. No telling what could lie beyond here. Don’t let any of these things near you,” Humphrey said. He pushed a button on the side of the door. It opened.

What I saw would be implanted in my memories forever. The door led to hallway. There were at least a dozen dead bodies, all collapsed in various poses on the ground. Some on top of each other. There were a few dead parasites as well, but much too few in comparison. I started to feel sick again.

Humphrey moved on ahead, giving us a signal with his hand. The rest of the team started to follow. I did the same. Sticked to the middle like what was planned. What happened next, however, wasn’t planned. Heard a scream from behind me. It was the guy in the back of the line. There was a parasite on his head, readying a tentacle. It pierced through his helmet and he fell to the ground.

Like clockwork, all the infantrymen began firing at it. Lasers flew past me. I had the urge to crouch down, covering my head. Like that’d do any good. Thought it’d be best if I kept still. Eventually the parasite was an oozing blob and stopped moving.

“Where did it come from?” Shouted one of the men.

“It tunneled through the ceiling!” Shouted another.

“How are we supposed to fight an enemy like this?” Asked a man beside me.

Humphrey held up his hand. “We stick to the mission! Now is not the time to feel fear. There are potential survivors on board and they’re counting on us. We keep moving. Eyes open. These parasites will clearly attack from anywhere,” he said.

Stepping over the dead in the hallway, we made our way to the first door we could find. Humphrey opened it. Inside the room were three parasites who began to lunge towards us. The infantrymen were ready for them this time. Almost instantaneously, the three alien creatures were turned into cauterized messes.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

“Anyone alive in here?” Humphrey asked as he stepped foot into the room. It appeared to be a living quarters. There were at least fifteen bunk beds along the walls and minimal furniture other than that. Five bodies were on the ground. One body remained motionless in his bed. Poor guy. That was my only thought? Was I getting used to seeing dead people already? I wondered if the Hydra had a therapist on board. I definitely was going to need one after I got back.

Humphrey looked down at the ground, in silence. Before he had a chance to say anything, his radio started to make noise. Cries and yells were heard coming from it. Through the distortion of battle, a single voice came through. “We’ve only got four left! Don’t go to the bridge! There’s a- “ It cut off before the man could finish his sentence. Did the batteries die or something?

“Bravo, come in! Anyone from Bravo, what’s going on?” Humphrey said, speaking into the radio. There was no response. He cursed and looked over at us.

“We have a new priority. We get to the bridge and rescue what’s left of Bravo Team,” Humphrey said.

“But they told us not to go there,” I said.

I was glared at by everyone. Did I say something wrong?

Humphrey spoke up. “You may not understand this, but we’re Space Infantry. It is our duty and moral obligation to rescue those left behind,” he said.

Now I looked like a total jerk. Why did I have to open my mouth?

“Does anyone else have an objection?” Humphrey asked. I heard a unanimous “No, sir!” Guess it was decided, then. It was time to go to the bridge.

We left the room and made our way to the end of the hallway. The one we were originally walking through. There were two directions we could go. I looked up and saw signs. To the left was marked as the cafeteria. The right was labeled as the bridge.

“I guess we go right,” Humphrey said.

Alpha Team and I continued walking for a couple minutes, passing by more bodies and alien carcasses. To my surprise, there were no surprises. Why were there so few live parasites on board of this ship? Where did they all go?

At the end of this hallway was a single door. Must be the bridge. Humphrey placed his ear against it.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“I’m trying to listen for combat,” Humphrey said.

The men of Alpha Team nodded.

What good would placing your ear on a thick metal door do? There must be something to it. I followed the lead of Humphrey and placed my ear on the door as well, standing right next to him. Our eyes met.

“What are you doing?” Humphrey asked. He gave me a puzzled look.

“Listening for combat,” I said. What else was I supposed to say?

“Sorry, this is a job for the one in command. Get back in line,” Humphrey said.

I’ll never understand these people, I thought to myself. Humphrey can have the stupid door all to himself. Not like I cared. I just wanted to go home.

“All quiet in there. I want all of your weapons at the ready. This includes you, janitor. Hold that mop tight and swing it hard,” Humphrey said.

To be honest, I wasn’t sure how much damage this thing could actually do. Would it be able to take down an alien parasite? Guess I’d find out.

On the count of three, Humphrey opened the door to the bridge. My jaw dropped. I saw a massive thing in there. Not even sure how to describe it. It looked like a normal parasite, but was twenty times larger. It had red veins protruding out of its yellow skin and tentacles that were as thick as trees. Surrounding it and climbing on top of it were countless amounts of smaller parasites. Several bodies of infantrymen were scattered about the entrance on the other side of the room. Bravo team was dead. Soon, it felt like we would be too.

“It’s a queen,” Humphrey said. He backed up a little bit.

All the parasites immediately stopped moving. The queen spun herself to face us. Giant red eyes looked at us with ferocious hunger. It made a painful screeching noise and suddenly an ocean of yellow parasites began to rush towards us.

“Retreat back to the transport!” Humphrey shouted.