It flew through the air, twisting through miles of enormous tunnels. The creature flew straight up the tunnel, and through a large gash in the roof that led to the outside. It slowed as it came to the surface, hovering above the ruins of lost civilization. Enormous towers reached for a darkened sky, forgotten for centuries. The creature resembled a squid, tentacles flowing behind it as if it was in water. However, it was not a squid or any other animal at all. It was a machine, and it was hunting.

Fifteen mechanical eyes searched for its prey, scanning in thermal, ultraviolet, and other spectrums. It passed over a large pile of rubble, quickly scanning it. The thermal lenses detected heat from the pile. Following its programmed protocol, the machine closed in to investigate, tentacles swirling behind.

It landed on its tentacles, using them like a spider would its legs, quietly creeping toward its target. The machine crawled over the pile, ready to pounce on its victim. It cleared the pile and stopped, confused by what its eyes were showing. The heat was coming from a smoldering heap of metal. It took all but a moment for the machine to realize what was happening, but it was already too late. A blue beam of lighting struck the machine in the side, leaving a sparking gash. The machine reeled to its side, searching for its assailant. Another beam struck the synthetic creature from behind, tearing off its lashing limbs. The dying machine collapsed, sending a river of sparks dancing on the ground. The numerous eyes blinked a few last times, and then one by one, went dark.

Three shadows emerged from the dark, pointing their weapons at the lifeless heap. They closed in, surrounding the machine. One of them crept up to the Sentinel, and kicked one of the tentacles. The machine did not respond. They all let out a breath of relief. However one of the men fired his weapon into the body, showering his friends with stinging bits of metal.

"Had to make sure," said Zebadiah, giving his crew members a toothy smile. "These wriggling bastards are getting' too damn smart for me."

"You're getting too stupidfor me," replied Nicodemus.

The big man shrugged, and turned to the silent figure behind him. The hunched teenager straightened when his superior faced him.

"Aiden, tell the cap!n that the squidy situation has been taken care of…. and tell him that Zeb and I will be up, in a minute"