ESUN Outpost 21

Chapter 2: Night of Terror

Heero and Sally returned just before dark and found a small group comprised of Duo, Catherine, Trowa, and Noin standing outside. As they exited the vehicle Duo ran up to Heero. "So what did you find?"

"I'm not really sure. The place was a wreck. It looked like someone decided to bomb the place. Glad that they didn't make it inside our camp," Heero said as he turned towards the plastic.

"Whats that?" Catherine asked as she approached.

"To be honest we have no clue," said Sally as she adjusted her scarf.

"I'll go inform Lady Une so in the meanwhile you guys bring that into the lab," Noin said and headed back inside.

The three men picked up the plastic bag as Catherine and Sally led the way. Duo grumbled at the weight and Heero shook his head.

"Whats the smell?" Trowa said as he began to sniff the air.

"Yeah. Its nasty," Duo said gagging.

"Quit bitching and keep moving." Heero said as they approached the entrance.

Treize had a hard time sleeping. The day's events were still on his mind. Why did they come here and what was the deal with that dog? They sure as hell wanted it dead. But why? Hopefully Heero and Sally found something. He then turned on his side only to be greeted by bright light.

"Mr. Treize I am here to inform you that Yuy and Dr. Po have returned and they brought something I think you might like to see," Lady Une said as she entered his room. "Am I disturbing your rest sir?"

"No. I haven't been able to sleep anyway. Where are they now?"

"In the rec room sir. Heero is requesting some AV equipment. They found a DVR at the station that may shed some light on the incident earlier today."

"Good. I'm going to get dressed. Tell them I'll be there in ten minutes if not earlier."

"Yes sir." She then walked out of the room.

Wondered what they found there? Well only one way to find out. Treize got out of bed.

Heero got the DVR running and a large group filled the room. Quatre, and Dorothy were the only ones not present. "This is one of the things we found in the ruins of Station 14," Heero said as he started the video. The TV screen showed about six men in artic clothing walking around drilling into the ice.

"So they do the same things we do," Duo laughed. "I don't see how this is important?"

"It just started so give it time!" the pilot retorted.

The men kept marking the location in the ice and taking more core samples.

"How is this going to be any help?" Catherine said as she yawned.

"How much is on the tape?" asked Lady Une.

"Probably 8 hours," Sally replied.

"Did you find anything else?" Treize asked disappointed.

"As a matter of fact we did. Its in the lab." With that the group headed to the lab and were joined by Quatre and Dorothy along the way.

They gathered around the operating table where the plastic bag lay.

"Lets open it." Treize said and Heero unzipped the large bag. Once opened a large cloud of smoke filled the room full of the stench of burnt flesh. Most of the crew coughed.

"My God." Catherine said as she gazed upon the hideous creature.

The monstrosity's skin was bright red no doubt from being burned. In the lower portion appeared to be the remains of pants. The creatures' limbs were long and sinewy. Its fingers were long and boney on the one hand and on the other appeared to be a glob of flesh with small spikes sticking out. The toes were long and curved like claws. But the most hideous sight of all was the freakish being's face. Contorted in way that seemed to be impossible and its composition resembled that of silica gel.

Relena tried to control her coughing and approached the table. "This is both fascinating and terrifying at the same time. I have never seen a morphological structure like this before. Of course I wonder what its insides are like."

"Well you're going to find out. You and Zechs are going to assist me in the autopsy," Sally said as she faced Relena.

Zechs couldn't believe his eyes. "I have never seen anything like this."

"Well now that that's settled I think we should all have dinner. Quatre?"

"It'll be ready in a few minutes."

The group began to leave with the exception of Relena. "Are you coming Miss Relena or should bring a tray here for you?" the blond cook asked.

"No I'll be right in." Relena followed him out of the room.

The mess hall was awfully quiet. The day's events still weighed heavily on the crew's minds as they enjoyed their meal. It wasn't long before everyone went back to work or to bed.

In the lab Relena, Zechs, and Sally were conducting autopsies. Sally began to cover the body of the crazed gunman with a sheet. "This guy is perfectly fine, well in reference to his physical health. No signs of intoxication but his mental health is still unaccounted for. Zechs have you finished those test yet?"

Zechs sat at one of the lab tables examining a rack of test tubes as he entered data into the computer. "Nothing unusual here."

Meanwhile Relena started to work on the deformed body. She held a scalpel in her gloved hands and began to wonder which incision to make first. She settled for one in the lower abdomen and began to slowly take out organs. "Well let's see. Heart. Lungs. Kidney. Liver. Spleen. Even intestines. Hm. Despite this guy's physical appearance he has normal human internal organs in rather good shape too might I add. In regards to age…well let's see…take into account the burns…. Ah! Around thirty years old."

Zechs approached and began to take tissue samples. "So he's human sis?"

"From what I can make of it," she replied.

"Well look on the bright side. We'll probably get recognition for this find," Sally laughed.

Zechs placed the samples under the microscope and started the program. His jaw dropped when he saw the visual. "Relena. Can you come over here?"

She removed her bloody gloves and approached her older brother. "What is it?"

"I've never seen cells like these. No organelles or at least ones I know of."

"I see what you mean." Intrigued Sally walked over to them. "I have to admit brother I am at loss on this on."

"No kidding. I have never seen anything like this and I am up to date on most cytology and microbiological journals." Sally said in awe.

"What have we found? This cell structure makes no sense."

"I don't think it has to."

"What are you getting at Relena?" Sally asked as she turned towards the young biologist.

"I remember one of my professor's mentioning something about how cells from other worlds might be structured when I was working on my doctorate. He mentioned they might very well defy everything we know in regards to cytology and histology. I wonder if these are not of terrestrial origin?"

"What are you saying? You just said the body was human!" Zechs exclaimed as he turned towards his sister.

"Its just a hypothesis so relax. I'm saying right now I don't know. It looks human. Has human structure although a bit deformed and human organs. Yet its cell structure is not human or like anything on earth for that matter. What could it be?"

Meanwhile in the rec room Noin, Catherine, Trowa, and Duo were relaxing to game of cards while Treize, Dorothy and Lady Une were playing a game of pool. All was quiet until Noin felt something brush up against her leg. "AH!!" She looked under the table to find the wounded dog under there. "Dorothy! Put this dog into the kennel."

Dorothy walked over. "Okay." She then began to pet the dog. "Come on fella we can't have you bothering others." She and the dog then left the rec room.

"I can't believe she didn't put it away yet." Treize said as he took his shot.

"It was injured so she probably wanted to calm it down first." Lady Une said as lined up her shot.

Halfway down the hall Dorothy saw Relena coming from the lab. The dog ran up to Relena. "Bad boy! Down. Geez. Why do dogs act like some men I know?" she said as she removed the dog from Relena.

"So how's our guest faring."

"Fine" Dorothy said as she scratched behind its ears. "Its like he was never shot."

"How's you research on animal behavior in arctic weather progressing?"

"Slowly. Good thing I don't have to have any reports due any time soon."

"Well good night." Relena said as she yawned and walked away.

Later that night Heero was wandering through the main building bored out of his mind. He finally settled down in the deserted rec room. Noin and Zechs were talking in the lab. Duo and Wufei were in their room watching videos and smoking weed. Trowa was in his room examining the latest result from the day's magnetic readings. Quatre was in the kitchen cleaning the pots. Dorothy was asleep in her room. Sally was cleaning instruments in the lab. Hilde was in the hall walking to her room to go to sleep. Treize and Lady Une were busy deciding on what to do about the day's events in the mess hall. Relena was just climbing into bed as her roommate Catherine leaves the room.

In the rec room Heero is pouring himself a glass of scotch. As the amber liquid fills the glass he ponders what to do. He notices the DVR on the table. "What the hell." He turns on the DVR and the T.V.

Heero fast-forwards past the part they watched earlier. "Lets see about five hours left I'd say. That ought to cure my insomnia." He watched as the men approached a large snow bank with disgust. "Ah for crying out loud! There's nothing but snow out there. Why are they so enthusiastic about some pile of white precipitation." He downed his drink and poured another glass.

One hour passed and Heero was still not asleep but bored. He grumbled as the six man team drilled for core samples in the ice for umpteenth time. "This has got to be the dumbest idea I ever had since Duo talked me into that drinking contest." He remembered that painful event all too well. He and Duo were at a bar and some biker named Ned started talking about how he could out drink anyone in the bar. Of course Duo opened his big mouth and caught the big lug's attention. Heero laughed as the huge man challenged Duo to a drinking contest. Of course Duo being who he was refused to drink so the big asshole threatened to pummel him. Heero then said he'd take up the challenge in Duo's stead. Big mistake. After the first couple drinks Heero was fine and the next three shots made him a bit tipsy. But after his thirteenth glass he was totally out of it. It took one more to beat the pain in the ass and unfortunately that was what got him sent to the hospital. Duo dragged him out of the bar and into a cab. Playing the Good Samaritan Duo took him to the hospital and stayed with him in the emergency room. Later the next day he woke up to find a relieved Duo and a furious Relena. Trying to be hero did not turn out as he expected

Of course there were also Relena's own opinion on the matter. "Heero Yuy. What the fuck were you thinking?!" It was the only time he ever heard the former pacifist queen of the world use that particular four-letter word. Of course he couldn't blame her after all he nearly died of alcohol poisoning. She left him as soon as he got out of the hospital. They did not meet again until she starting working at the outpost. Of course she still did not forgive for that act of blatant stupidity. It had been three years since that event and still she would not let go.

Heero's reminiscing was soon interrupted by footsteps. He turned to find Catherine standing in the doorway. "Shouldn't you be in your shack?"

"Its too cold to go out now. Besides I'm bored so I thought I'd watch this video."

"Mind if I join you?"

"Go right ahead,' he said as he moved over on the couch. She sat down and picked up the bottle of scotch. "Help yourself. Theres glasses behind the bar."

Catherine walked over to the bar and retrieved a glass. She then returned to the couch and poured herself a glass of scotch. She noticed Heero closely examining the video. 'Anything wrong?"

"Hm. This is a new area. What the hell?"

"What is it?"

"Look at that. Do you see that shape in the ice?"

"Yeah it looks kind of strange. What do you think it is?"

"I have no idea," he said edging closer to the screen. "So what are you guys doing now?"

"Looks like they're planting explosives.'

'Yeah. Question is what type. Doesn't appear to be any type of high explosive. Maybe an ice softener like thermite?"

An explosion rocks the video. Heero and Catherine watch as a massive explosion engulfs the ice.

"What the hell was that?" she asked confused.

"It blew up? Most have been a reaction of some kind."

Catherine notices the men looking at something in the ice. "Heero?"

"Yeah I see it. Looks like that block Sally and I found."

"Wonder what was in it?"

Just then the sound of dogs barking fills the room. "Goddammit!" Heero shouted as he stormed out of the room and into the hallway. He proceeded down to Dorothy's room and entered to find the girl asleep. "Dorothy your mutts are barking."

She didn't respond and Heero grew infuriated. "Dorothy Catalonia! Get out of bed and do something about your damn dogs!"

Dorothy opened her eyes to find a very pissed off Heero Yuy standing over her. "Alright. Hold your horses grandpa." She got out of bed and threw her heavy coat on. She then left her room and proceeded to the kennel.

Dorothy walked sleepily towards the kennel. She yawned as she opened the door. Inside she was greeted by loud barking. I hope they aren't fighting again she thought as she moved further in. The last fight involved her staying up all night patching wounds, which she did not find appealing enough to repeat.

As she got closer to the barking she began to notice the barks were ones of fear. Worried about the safety of her canine charges she bolted for the door of the wire pen. As she approached it two of the dogs ran out knocking her to the ground. As she got up another ran past her. As she approached the door she heard a hissing noise followed by what sounded like rustling. As she approached the opening she saw a large silhouette in the back of the pen. Dorothy was terrified. She had felt such terror before during the war when she heard Treize had died, which later turned out to be a clever deception. Of course the only thing that she could remember that even came close to the feeling she now felt was when she was very young and the power went out in her home. She walked around in the dark and then came a loud bang, which sent her under a table. Fortunately it was just one of the servants who bumped his knee off a trashcan.

She slowly began to enter the pen when something slithered across the ground and startled her. She ran out and locked the door. She saw a long tentacle or similar appendage slam into the door. The rustling gave way to an inhuman growl. Dorothy screamed.

Heero entered the kitchen and turned on the lights. He opened the fridge and removed a large can of beer. "Now that's what I'm talking about." He was just about to leave when he heard a loud growl followed by a loud scream. Wasting no time he pulled the fire alarm and dashed out.

As he ran towards the armory Treize and Lady Une stopped him. "What is going on?" the station commander asked.

"Screaming and growling from the kennel. Dorothy's in there." He then ran past. "I'm going for a gun."

"I think I'll get one too." Lady Une said as she chased after Heero.

"I'll meet you both in the kennel." Treize yelled. He removed his pistol and cocked it.

In the Kennel Dorothy stood by the entrance in fear. She jumped as the door opened to reveal Treize brandishing a pistol and flashlight and Heero and Lady Une carrying carbines.

"Whats going on?" Heero asked anxiously.

"I don't know but its got at least three of the dogs. We have to hurry," she replied.

"What is it?"

'Its like something out of a nightmare in there Heero."

Just then Noin entered. "Whats going on?"

"Never mind that. Noin find Wufei and tell him to bring the flamethrower."

"Gotcha." Noin then raced back down the hall.

The hallway was a buzz with confusion as everyone rushed to get his or her heavy clothes on.

"Hilde did you set of the smoke alarm again?" Duo asked as he pulled a pair of pants over his thermal underwear.

"No. Maybe it was you ya stupid stoner," she retorted.

Noin race down the hall and into to Wufei's room. The mechanic was just pulling his vest on as she entered. "Wufei," she said trying to catch her breath.

"What is it?" she asked annoyed.

"Heero said he needs the flamethrower and he needs it right now."

"What? Why the hell…"

"Move it!" she shouted and ran off.

"Argh!" he said as he dashed out of the room.

In the kennel Heero and Lady Une gradually approached the pen guns in hand. Treize was right behind them with his pistol and Dorothy grabbed an axe. The outside door opened to reveal the others minus Wufei entering with Trowa, Zechs, and Quatre carrying fire extinguishers. "Stay back you guys."

"What the hell is in there Heero?" Zechs asked.

Relena tried to edge closer but Heero noticed her. "I told you to stay back!"

"I just want to see."

"We don't even know what the hell it is? Damn it! Isn't Wufei here yet?"

"He's coming Heero," Noin shouted.

Heero motioned for Relena to back off and she did. Grabbing a flashlight with his one hand he opened the pen and peered inside. Inside he saw the most revolting sign he had ever seen. In the back corner of the pen appeared to be what looked like two dogs fused together except it was as if the skin had been peeled away. Blood soaked the floor and what at first appeared to be intestines were piled on the floor. However the organs on the floor turned out to be some sort of tentacle like appendage, which darted out and wrapped around one of the dogs. Heero shined the light to his left to see something that appeared insect like in its appearance with arachnid legs and screeching like a mantis. Heero stood in disbelief and Relena ran back towards the others.

"God in heaven," Treize said in horror.

Heero set the mode selector on his carbine to automatic and aimed. "I'm going to shoot," he said.

"NO!!" Dorothy yelled and lunged into the pen in a desperate attempt to rescue the dogs.

"DOROTHY!! Get out of there you idiot!" Heero yelled.

"Dorothy!" Lady Une shouted as she got into position to fire.

"Leave them alone!" Dorothy shouted and swung her axe at the hideous creature. But before the blade could make contact one of the creature's tentacles shot out and knocked her to the ground. Another wrapped around her pant leg."

"Dorothy!" Relena screamed as she ran to the pen with Quatre right behind her."

"Hold on," Quatre said as he took her hand.

Dorothy grabbed the axe and brought it down hard on the offending tentacle. The creature screamed in agony and let go. Using the blade she scraped the tentacle fragment off of her pants. Quatre then pulled her to safety. "Quatre?"

"Shh. Heero and the others will handle it from here," he said trying to reassure her. She passed out in his arms.

"Alright lets frag this bastard!" Heero yelled. He opened fire and a burst from his gun tore into the creature's flesh resulting in inhuman wailing of the most terrible kind. Lady Une and Treize followed suit. The abomination tried desperately to escape and shot tentacles out all over the place. Some latched onto the ceiling and it began to lift itself up. "Oh no you don't!" Heero yelled as he changed the magazine. He fired at the tentacles severing them and sending the beast crashing to the floor.

"Yuy you're barely scratching it," Treize said and ceased firing.

Lady Une ceased firing as well. "You can stop Heero. The bullets aren't really hurting it. All you are doing is wasting ammo."

"Damn it," Heero said and stopped firing. "Where the hell is Wufei and the flamethrower?!"

Just then the door opened and Wufei entered with the flamethrower. "Yuy, you have some nerve making lug this thing out here."

"Well it's about fucking time! Get over here and torch this hellish freak will ya!"

Wufei approached the pen and was disgusted by the hideous entity within. "What the hell…is that?"

"Never mind that. Just burn it already!"

Wufei turned the valve and aimed the flamethrower at the creature. He pulled the trigger and a stream of fire soon engulfed the monster, which howled in agony as the flames seared its flesh.

"Hit it again!" Heero shouted.

Wufei let loose another stream and the howling stopped. Heero and Wufei then backed off allowing Quatre, Trowa, and Zechs to enter and extinguish the flames. Clouds of carbon dioxide soon smothered the fire filling the pen with smoke thick with the scent of burning flesh.

Relena ran into the pen to examine the remains. "Get this to the lab on the double. Use protective gear when handling this thing."

"You heard her guys. Fetch a stretcher and some protective clothes." Treize ordered.

Heero stood there in disbelief with Wufei beside him. "What the hell was that thing?"

"I don't know," Heero replied. "But it sure as hell was not a dog."