Location: Bunker Cave

Scout Team Alpha had regrouped at the large open area that connected the various cave systems, and began their trip back to the Bunker. Alex and Emily had returned from scouting out the Colosseum, there really wasn't much there to document. Lucas and Joshua were still shaken up for what happened to Julia, Alex and Emily were equally concerned. They would need to report back to the Bunker and brief them on the situation, with any luck a plan to save Julia could be made.

Scout Team Alpha were in front of the Bunker's main door, Emily turned on her communicator and requested that it be opened. The door itself was a large thick barrier of steel laced with lead, if need be it could take very heavy impacts without being breached, but its thickness was mostly to keep large amounts of radiation from coming in. A few seconds later, the heavy mechanisms of the door could be heard, and it creaked open and the scout team moved inside.

Scout Team Alpha undressed, taking off their environment suits, and putting on their normal civilian clothing, after which they had a quick meal, before writing up the report on their scouting mission, including the kidnapping of Julia.

Location: Allen's Office

Allen looked at the submitted report of Scout Team Alpha, it held various bits of information that would be important for any actions taken going forward. There were quite a bit of interesting things on it, like Vilmire's suspicions about the blood sport being confirmed, as well as what appeared to be a transit station. This likely meant a population center was close by, and the actions that followed its discovery did confirm hostility to a degree. However Allen was hesitant to write it off as innate belligerent, as it very well could have been a misunderstanding.

However the most interesting part of it was Alpha Team Member Julia being kidnapped. Alpha Team Member Joshua had reported that he had looked under the hole in which they came through to see the creature restraining Julia, then disappearing in a black mist. Her suit tracker was damaged, so they didn't know where she was exactly, she might not be alive. However, on the chance that she was, a rescue operation had to be planned, but he needed more info.

It was then that a notification popped up on his computer. Scout Team Beta sent back a message, as well as a few recordings and images. It showed a small group of what they said were bipedal moths. The camera panned over to what looked like a group of children being huddled up in fear. The Team reported that the moths had somehow found a way to translate their language via some strange crystal, which they noted had no idea how that worked. As well as a group of armed bugs from the faction that Alpha ran into showing clear hostility.

The group was quickly terminated save for one who was unaccounted for, and an enemy officer they took prisoner for interrogation. This was good news, with that officer to question, they could develop a better understanding of who they were dealing with, and what their surroundings were.

Allen began writing up a message to send Beta, on what questions he wanted to be asked of this enemy officer. Including the layout of their civilization, their military, their government, technology level, and culture. These would all be important for how the Bunker conducted itself.

Apparently the officer had already given some information through their actions. Such as them being genocidal against a certain group of bugs, having a monarchy of some kind, as well as the name of their civilization: Hallownest.

Location: Bunker Biochemical Research Facility

Suki was writing down her latest findings on increasing the efficiency of Enzymes. It was all part of the bigger project to try and improve the Human Genome. She had to admit, it made her a bit giddy, the feeling of being a part of something so large and impactful. The results were promising, with her modified enzymes reducing the energy required to start cellular respiration compared with other enzymes by 17%, as well as the new digestive enzymes requiring 23% less energy to start the digestive process. It was minor things like that which made big differences, better enzymes mean you don't need as much food to operate, this would allow for the Human Race to have a much greater carrying capacity.

She was torn from her notes by a knock on the door, she went to open it, and there in front of the door was Evan. He would stop by for a friendly chat and to discuss finding every now and then, a topic that was coming up a lot were the bugs.

"My tests with regenerative tissue have shown great success" Evan said walking in.

"If my estimates are correct it would hasten the healing of wounds, and healing of bones, maybe even regenerate minor body parts being lost, like ears or fingers" Evan continued.

"Have you checked if your enzymes can survive in the PH level of Human blood?" Evan asked

"Yes, that is one of the first things I tested for" Suki responded professionally.

Evan nodded, and sighed "We are going to have to deal with those damned bugs" Evan said in a matter of fact tone. "If they are anything like us, there is one certainty, that they will fight us for resources, and try to dominate us."

Suki nodded, it was only natural, there could only be one dominant species on the planet, and Suki would do everything she could to make sure that Humans kept that title.

"I can't really blame them, it is the great game of life, species die out because they lose the evolutionary arms race" Evan paused, then continued.

"We must make sure we don't lose"

Suki nodded, Humanity would not go into that good night, not if the R&D department had anything to say about it.