Alpha Colony

Planet Murakumo

Bordino Sector

0215 01MAY2184

A steady, soaking rain fell on the colony as it did every night. A day's travel to the north began the Great Desert, a barren expanse covering the majority of the continent. An equal distance south the rain fell nearly all twenty-five hours of Murakumo's day in the swampy polar region. The narrow band between was the location of the Alpha Colony, called New Canaan by the locals. Hot, sweltering days were the norm here, followed by warm rainy nights. If it did not make a pleasant climate, at least it was a tolerable one.

Three hooded figures moved through the cover of darkness, knowing any traces of their passage would be washed away by daylight. Quickly and surely they approached a fence; then guided by a dimmed flashlight located the gate. A posted sign was briefly illuminated:

CAUTION

Water Treatment Facility

Authorized Personnel Only

One figure produced a pair of cutters and neatly severed the chain holding the gate closed. Moving to the single building within the enclosure they breached the door with equal ease. Once securely inside the filter was removed, allowing the light to show the interior. Pipes and tanks filled the large area in twisting, colorful chaos.

The leader of the group took a quick look around then pointed to a large storage tank. "Yellow number three, supply for the cattle barns. Let's go."

As the three began to open the tank the first member who had opened the gate and door spoke, "I'm still not so sure about this."

The leader answered, "What's not to be sure of?"

"We are taking an awful risk here. People could die."

"Everything is under control," the leader said sternly. "This is one of the reasons you were selected to come with, to assure the nay-sayers there were no fuck ups. The live agent will only reach the animals; they will show signs of sickness long before any workers would be exposed. When this facility is tested inert agent will be found near the potable supply. It will look like someone tried to affect both the people and the animals but failed. There will be nothing to trace back to us" He looked to the third figure that had been silent so far. "Give me the live agent."

The silent one produced two small vacuum-sealed containers. He looked quizzically at one then to the other. Tentatively he handed one to the leader but snatched it back as the leader was about to take it offering the second in its stead. He then began to alternate holding them out, as a larger child would torment a smaller in a game of keep-away, grinning wickedly at the first member of the group. "See!" the first shouted, "This is a bad idea! Too many are taking it lightly!"

"Cut the shit!" the leader ordered. Sullenly the third figure handed one canister over.

"Are you sure that is the right one now?" the first asked with a trace of panic.

"Why don't you drink it?" He snarled. "It's the right one, ya little prick."

"You and your group would like to see a nice body count wouldn't you?" A shrug was the only reply.

"We've been over this!" the leader scolded the other two. "We need to make the ICC take notice of this world. A 'failed' bio-incident will do just that."

"A 'successful' one would do it better and faster." The third mumbled loud enough to be heard.

"Does it really matter," the first said. "The first sign of a bio-weapon will cause the ICC to go ballistic. They will send in Marines here, take over and shut everything down."

The leader looked at him and nodded. "That's true"

"How will that benefit us? To have an occupation force brought in?"

"It will be the perfect benefit. They will come here, serve our purpose then go away." The leader smiled, "The best way to get rid of your enemies is to have them kill each other." He dropped the open container into the tank.