One month later…
The group is watching the TV news again.
“…On international news, a village in Germany was attacked by a horde of alien invaders which were hiding in the woods and stormed the town unexpectedly. Military and police forces arrived at the place and quickly dispatched the aggressors. Many people are reported to have been wounded during the ordeal, and there are numerous reports of a small increase in the number of Apophlings coming to Earth. Governments of the world are beginning to initiate scanning and tracking operations to discover any groups of alien creatures near the outskirts of rural and residential zones as they currently seem to be primary targets for the invading critters, people from remote areas are beginning to arm themselves and form militia groups to defend their homes. Citizens are reminded to report any suspicious sightings to the authorities and maintain calm, more news at 7:00 pm.”
“Ah lovely,” Valeria says, “a quote unquote rise of those damn things, this could happen only once right?”
“We can just try to keep killing those things until Apophis wears out and decides to leave. Sending its spawn across the planet will take a lot of resources,” says Roberth.
“That’s very optimistic,” Phrixus says. “I’d rather keep our guard up and stay frosty, even a minor boost can cause a lot of trouble, however, I welcome more invaders to be targets for my guns.”
“Well, on another topic I’ll have to get back home, I am meeting a friend,” says Roberth.
“Same here,” Valeria says, “in my case just family business, boring as usual.”
“Bummer, it seems I’ll waste time at the forge in the meantime, keep a watch on the way back,” says Phrixus.
Finishing up his last chores, Phrixus plans to visit his family to talk about the alien critters.
1 hour later…
“…But we are in an urban area,” his father says, “far away from the forest and they have a lot of houses and buildings to choose from, they would only get blasted as soon as they step inside of the city.”
“He has a point, either the military or armed people will kill those horrible things,” his mother says.
“Alright,” says Phrixus, “I’ll assume we are still safe from those monsters as long we are in the inner parts of the town, but if I find even a small non-Earth animal footprint near your home, I’ll get my shotgun and track the vermin down.”
“I hope that’s not the case, I’d prefer you avoid any trouble and let the military do the work.”
“I must defend this entire family, I don’t care how big or mean they are, they’ll have to face me first if they dare to bring harm to us.”
They remain silent for a while.
“I won’t see another incident like the now-extinct Red Confederacy instigated some time ago, coming and slaughtering our relatives.” Phrixus hates mentioning what happened to his aunt, as he doesn’t want to upset his parents.
But his father is calm. “I have my revolver stored just in case.”
“Better than nothing, you give me a call and I’ll arrive as quickly as possible if there’s any trouble,” says Phrixus.
3 days later…
Phrixus spends his time wandering alone in the wilderness to relax, still armed in case of any unexpected encounter. Pondering how the invasion will progress as the time passes. It had started as a minor threat, but could the same be said in the future? He walks aimlessly processing his speculations, after some minutes of trailing his train of thought is cut short when he spots an alien creature.
It is neither a Surma nor a Tauferum but rather a new specimen: it is hard to describe its profile but at first glance, it looks like a small but slightly elongated warthog with a few snake-like traits. It shares the similar dark-brown, rough-scaly skin of a Surma but the pattern is different, its snout is a far cry from any animal of Earth, it has a reptilian appearance, three visible nostrils, four large fangs protruding at its mouth and tiny spikes covering the lower section of its jaw. Its legs are short but muscular, its frontal paws have small, six-digit claws that look like they are designed for utility rather than combat. Now it waddles along keeping its head down, checking the terrain by digging as if it is searching for something.
Phrixus studies the creature a bit more and thinks about how to proceed next. “By the looks of it that thing doesn’t have the strength of a Tauferum or the agility of a Surma. It doesn’t look fearsome like the others. Maybe a worker, scout, or just a drone? He ponders for a moment. “Better to bite the bullet to know what I’m dealing with,” thinks Phrixus.
He comes out of his hiding spot and yells at the creature to get its attention. The alien varmint turns around and stares at Phrixus, then lets out a short but high-pitched shriek. He expects it to charge forward and attack, like the previous two beasts did, but instead the creature stands on two legs, lifts and tilts its head backwards and then it thrusts forward. In half a second Phrixus sees something propelled out above its head. It happens so fast that he cannot dodge the fast projectiles and is hit in the torso. Besides the puncturing pain it is accompanied by a blistering sensation, like an arrow whose tip is scorching. Phrixus gets hit again twice, in the left arm and the lower abdomen, instinctively he falls back and takes cover in the nearest thicket of trees to avoid receiving more attacks. Hurriedly he removes the barbed objects from his body, and his fingers also experience the same searing pain as he pulls out the projectiles. One by one he throws them to the ground, and when they come in contact with the dirt they expel gray fumes, as if they have a caustic substance on them. This only lasts for a few seconds and then Phrixus gets a clear picture of the projectile; it is a slim spine, about 20cm in length, with five holes over its frame, possibly to give them aerodynamic properties. But he has no time to study the objects more, as the aggressor is getting closer. Pulling out his knife he decides to wait for the creature, taking a peek he observes how the beast approaches him and maintains its distance, it shrieks and shoots the tree instead.
“Guess they are not that stupid after all,” says Phrixus.
Phrixus leaves his cover and rushes forward, he gets hit on the shoulder before he manages to close the gap between him and the attacker. As the creature is standing on two legs to attack, its neck and torso are completely exposed. Eager to end the confrontation, Phrixus aims at the chest area and scores a hit, the blade goes deep and the creature wails in pain, Phrixus makes another thrust and this time twists the knife in the wound. The alien critter tries to disengage but Phrixus slams it to the ground, still holding his weapon and putting pressure on the injury. It flails weakly for a few seconds until it finally drops dead, then he pulls out his knife and the spine embedded in his shoulder. Composing himself for a moment, he takes a better look at the beast he has slain.
These things have a form of ranged attacks… he thinks. Better hope the substance covering the spines is not poisonous. Although he doesn’t feel any malady or allergic reaction so far, once he arrives at his hideout he will take antivenom stored just in case, even if it’s an unknown toxin.
Picking up a branch from the ground he pokes one of the spines to check if the caustic substance has completely evaporated, it seems they are safe to pick up since there isn’t any reaction to the stick. He grabs the spine and studies it further: lightweight but sturdy, a very sharp point, possibly composed of calcium, like bones, and has a dark silvery coloration. Judging by the speed with which they are propelled, it can be as lethal as a firearm, even capable of piercing vital organs with ease.
Stashing the spine carefully in his messenger bag, he travels back to his hideout and looks for more information about this new specimen.
5:56 pm…
“Spynehogs… also known in other places as Quillers, Hades’s Badgers and Marauders, is the new addition to the ranks of the invading force.” Valeria recites what she’s learned from the news she was reading on her laptop. “Their primary role is attacking from afar and shooting acid-coated spines, scientists have discovered that the corrosive substance on the quills causes an aggressive dissolving reaction against non-organic material such as textiles, wood, and even metal, it has a very limited effect on living tissue, causing from first- to second-degree burns depending on much time the acid is in contact with the skin or muscle. It has been theorized that the purpose of the corroding agent is to grant the projectiles armor-piercing capabilities. People are advised to flee by moving from cover to cover since they need a moment to prepare before shooting, reports say… yadda yadda yadda, more antics caused in residential zones, nothing new unless they plan to move to the cities and cause real damage.”
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
“Antics that should be taken into consideration,” Roberth says. “I heard there’s always confirmed casualties every time there is an attack.”
“The good news is the military is doubling their patrol efforts to keep a watch in rural zones,” Phrixus says, “so far urban areas are completely safe from them.”
“Better stay that way,” says Valeria.
“I got a spine from one of them, it looks like it could be used as a toothpick, or perhaps strap some clothes and make a shiv.”
“Or get five spines and tie them to a boxing glove,” says Roberth.
“Good tinkering, I just need to kill one, bring it here and dissect it to extract their spines, it might have many uses,” says Phrixus.
“We have an expert in xenobiology here, you better wear a hazmat suit if you plan to play the surgeon,” says Roberth.
“And do it outdoors, far away from here… just in case you carve the wrong organ and release a new type of deadly airborne pathogen,” says Valeria.
“Once I find it I’ll throw it into Roberth’s face!” Phrixus says with a laugh.
Roberth snorts. “Stay classy.”
Another month later…
Phrixus, Roberth and Valeria are talking with a manager in charge of supervising the issuing of bounties for Apophling hunting.
“Anyone can reclaim the bounty as long it doesn’t get past the expiration date and bring the exact number of heads and type of Apophiling, how you decide to kill the prize it’s up to you.” The manager says, sifting some sheets of papers, all of which have a large blue label stamped on them that says “SETTLED.”
“How many rewards can one person procure?” says Phrixus.
“In normal situations the max limit is two per week, but there may be extra work depending on how many clients come to us and submit their contracts.”
“Do many people come here?” Roberth inquires.
“Mainly Superhumans and sometimes common folk, since the alien attacks in the world are slowly increasing, many business are closing their doors so they are coming here to keep their wallets full.”
“My job got shut down because of that, I have heard they are relocating to the most important cities as they are being fortified, the outskirts are getting more treacherous,” says Valeria.
“Yes, that’s why the government is looking for third-party volunteers to cull the excess alien vermin, however they are being prudent in safeguarding metropolitan zones,” says the manager.
“I can’t help but have a bad feeling about what will come in the future,” says Phrixus, reflecting on that thought.
They keep looking into the bounties to check what else they offer, after that Phrixus goes to visit his friend Oviedo who is about to move to the city’s downtown.
6:51 pm…
“A nice apartment near the coast… you’re leaving it? What will happen to your house?” says Phrixus.
“It will remain here.” Oviedo chuckles. “Of course we aren’t planning to sell it, and we think this invasion will end soon or later. We have heard rumors of those bugs prowling near this district, and we don’t want to take any chances so we are leaving for the time being until things go back to normal.”
“I saw the news about some countries starting to build tall walls in their most vital cities, I’ve read stories about preparing themselves against any full-scale attacks in the worst-case scenarios. It looks like they are making quarantine zones but without any disease on the loose. “
“I don’t like the way it sounds… how will they deal with the bulk of the people outside if we begin to lose ground?”
“I’ve thought about that too. I can only imagine people will settle near the walls to gain a sense of security in the best of cases, or on the other side we get increasing civil unrest and as a consequence, riots everywhere.”
“I only hope Apophis just gets tired of sending its minions… what the hell I am saying, the sooner—” Oviedo says, before he is interrupted by his father approaching, looking nervous and sweaty.
“Damn it! There is one of those things nearby, in the backyard, it hasn’t seen me but it doesn’t want to get away from here, Rocco’s barking just got its attention.”
“What?!” Oviedo says. “What do we do now?”
“I’ll call the police, if that thing remains still we might j—” Oviedo’s father says.
He is interrupted by the creature making scraping noises outside, as if it is trying to find an entrance. The unwanted visitor seems to be moving to different spots around the house very fast as it is clawing and hitting on its way and they hear a faint sound of the beating of wings. Oviedo’s dog doesn’t help the situation with his ceaseless barking even when he is restrained.
“I wish I had a pistol. The windows have metal bars but we don’t know what that thing is capable of,” says Oviedo’s father.
“Alejandro,” Oviedo says, “are you able to help us fight it?”
“Undoubtedly, I only need the proper tool for the job.”
“Like my son but fit for a brawl? I don’t ask you to risk your life, but if you are made of steel then it would be best for us if you get rid of that thing. I’ll call my wife so she stays away from here until that vermin is dead,” Oviedo’s father says.
“Come with me Alejandro, let’s see what we can get you in the garage,” says Oviedo.
Heading to the garage they arrive to a storage room. Paper items, gizmos and all sorts of appliances are littered all over the place, a simple workshop and redundant machinery. They rummage around the place for something suitable to deal with the undesirable visitor while they listen to its constant noises as it tries to find a way to get inside. Finally Phrixus finds a tool that should do the job.
“Mind if I chop some alien monster limbs?” Phrixus raises a wood axe.
“That should be convenient, be careful out there.”
They head back to the living room and Phrixus exits the house by the main entrance, he looks in all directions for any hint of the creature, it doesn’t take long before a large, monstrous winged being appears above the house, flies away and hovers some meters away from Phrixus. This creature is more insectoid than anything else: bearing resemblance to an arthropod with the similarity of a wasp, it has a dark green tone in terms of coloration, three pairs of visible wings which have a leathery consistency. Perhaps its most striking feature is, instead of having an apparent stinger as its would-be Earth insect counterpart has, it sports two intimidating bone scythe-like arms that seem like a weapon. Its head is the least unusual part, typical hornet-like shape with four, black compound eyes, the upper ones smaller than the ones below, and the ends of its mandibles have a pointy spike or fang. Its last pair of appendages are located below its blades, thin and short limbs which end in pincers, by the appearance it seems their purpose is to pick up things but they might be used for defense.
Phrixus takes a defensive stance as the creature dashes at him. It emits a formidable buzzing sound that has a distinctive vehicular quality. He tries to dodge a sweep attack, but the blade is too long to make a good evasive maneuver and Phrixus catches a long wound from his chest to his lower stomach. His T-shirt is ripped and a large piece of cloth dangles from the tip of the beast’s blade.
Damn it! If I were common folk I’d be disemboweled like a frog, at least it’s not deep… thinks Phrixus.
The alien aggressor flies away then makes a U-turn to perform the same strike. He waits as the creature gets closer at high speed with blades fanned out; instead of avoiding the charge he will try to perform a riposte. The beasts fiercely attacks and Phrixus manages to deflect the blow by using the wooden shaft of the axe which results in the beast being sliced apart. Having the upper hand for one second, Phrixus uses the wood axe as a hatchet and hacks a soft, fleshy part of the arm which connects the blade. The hit was precise and solid, resulting in the limb being severed. The creature screeches, falls to the ground and clumsily tries to strike back at Phrixus but he recedes. The blood pours from the cleaved appendage but the creature takes flight again and dashes at Phrixus relentlessly.
“This looks like an All-In, so be it,” says Phrixus.
Carefully handling his weapon Phrixus takes a throwing stance. As the creature gets closer he hurls the ax vigorously at it, it flies true and strikes its head, the injury proving to be fatal to the beast. The insectoid crashes to the ground and rolls for a few meters before landing close to Phrixus, it lays dead and still.
“Bullseye,” Phrixus says, spitting at the beast.
Oviedo and his father come out of the house, impressed by the outcome. They shake Phrixus’s hand and squeeze his shoulders.
“As soon as I saw the Pseudowasp wounding you I combed the house for a first aid kit.” Oviedo says, handing over the medical bag. “I’m glad you were the winner.”
“You sure don’t want to go to a hospital? That gash looks awful,” says Oviedo’s father.
“Don’t have to, it only needs to be bandaged and it’ll heal in a few days.” He starts to treat his wound. “So… Pseudowasps are those things? Since when did they get here?”
“First sightings were in Australia,” Oviedo says, “then South Asia. They’re starting to appear in the East. I heard they can fly up to sixty-five meters above, and yeah… there are videos of those things managing to get inside buildings, at least firearms do wonders against them. I think I’ve read it before… monomolecular edge? It sounds dubious but that would explain the sharpness of those scythes, these bugs are like the Grim Reaper of another dimension.”
Phrixus grabs the severed blade. “I bet you can make a makeshift sword or glaive with these things. I can’t see an appreciable cutting edge but the razor-sharp feature is there, guess I’ll take this one for study.”
“If the police don’t come soon, I’ll get a jerry can of gasoline and I’ll make sure the only thing that remains of this… fiend is cinders,” Oviedo’s father says.
“At least our problem is resolved thanks to Alejandro, I owe you one… or two.”
“Don’t worry about that, always welcome to help my friends, in any case, I have to go, best of luck in the city.”
8:39 pm…
Phrixus arrives at his lair and it seems Roberth and Valeria aren’t here, only his pets which come to greet him. Putting the Pseudowasp blade next to his desktop computer, he surfs the web to learn more about the creature he just fought. News, pictures, topics, eyewitnesses interviews and discussion boards all claim to have information about the particular specimen. People say they usually wander alone but if they find another of their kind they group together and form a hunting pack, and a report shows that eleven of these critters assaulted a commercial district in India, wreaking havoc over the zone, hinting at their swarming nature. Every communique advises their readers if they encounter a Pseudowasp to use a shotgun loaded with buckshot cartridges since that ammunition can shred their wings, and they are much less threatening on the ground. In other news there are rumors of a possible rise in military presence in the countries’ capitals and their most important cities. Stock markets are fluctuating due to the attacks of Apophis across the globe and it doesn’t seem like it will normalize in the foreseeable future, in short… things are getting ugly. He will send a message to his friends to start taking emergency measures like stockpiling supplies, getting any firearm and ammo they can, and avoiding the outskirts like the plague.