The four were preparing to drop into the dark barren area of that which was Shear. The aim was to do a double-take on the village, ensuring they rescued as many colonists as they could.

"Just a sweep then, eh?" Griff said, looking through the open dropship doors.

"In essence, yes. We go down, we scout the village, we bring any left behind, back." Bucket said, chassis rumbling.

The four fell from the dropship, landing by the area Ðorde had last been in. Dorde made his way to his chest-piece, still laying on the ground where he'd left it. By now the child's corpse was gone, it had more than likely fallen victim to a monster- food. The Lazarus man looked at the ground, a grim expression on his face. He picked up the cold hard armor, clipping it back on. Gross little maggots and bugs squirmed around on the floor where he'd left the child, he looked a little concerned, squatting down to take a closer look-

"Oi, Laz, can we fuckin' go? You've got your gear haven't you?" Hyde called out, tired and impatient. Laz looked back at the three, glancing down at the floor again, before nodding. Griffin took the soundspike from his back, planting it firmly into the ground.

"This'll cover a surrounding area, if we get word from it while we're in the village, we'll have time to prepare." He stated, swinging his harpoon gun from his back into his arms, loading a harpoon into it.

"Well then, I believe we are ready to take another look at the village. Gentlemen, would you lead the way?" Bucket echoed, his single L.E.D eye fixed between Laz and Hyde. The four moved in toward the village, Ðorde upfront with Hyde, leading the way.

Like before, the village was empty, silent, all that could be heard was the sounds from the four hunters; footsteps and rattling. The four split up, taking different streets, alleys, checking in windows. The Lazarus man made his way down one of the dusty streets, flashlight shining down at the floor. A trail of maggot-like insects were strewn across the ground, similar to those back at the landing point.

"My parents aren't here."

Ðorde's head stared up and front, his eyes wide, light flashing on a small human-like object in front of him. The light flickered, a glimpse of the thing's eyes, they were white and empty. The thing turned on the spot, running off at a quick pace, gasping and panting. Ðorde stood there, dumbfounded, still trying to process what he'd just seen. Shaking his head and snapping out of it, Ðorde ran after the creature coming to a dead end on the street. His light shone on the being again, inspecting it as thoroughly as possible.

A child. A little girl, her hair was a dirty brown, eyes white and cloudy, a large insect clinging onto her back, egg-like objects wrapped around her leg. She looked up again, saying the same thing as last time.

"My parents aren't here."

The Lazarus man continued to stare, her looks, her voice, it was her, without a doubt.

"Chrissy..." He paused. "We are here to save you, and any other colonists." He whispered now, squatting down to her height, moving over toward her slowly. The girl stood motionless, the insect creeping and clicking on her back, a hissing noise coming from it.

"What is that..." Laz whispered still, staring at the strange thing on her back. It was clutching her, with no intention of releasing it's grasp. "Come here, child."

No response. She ignored him. The girl fell to her hands and knees, whining and shrieking- Laz took steps back to watch as the insect on her back cracked and creaked, growing, evolving. It's body grew larger, four insect legs stretching out, standing. The child's body hung lifelessly- suspended in the air, still being held onto by the monster. The parasite's body opened up to bare sharp teeth. Large bug-wings spread out on the back. Any sense of hope had faded from Ðorde's face, he knew this wouldn't have happened if he'd not messed up the first time.

The creature screeched out loud in synchronisation with the child's helpless screaming, the sound was ear piercing, Laz winced, gritting his teeth.

The other three had grouped up by now, running towards the sound to find a stunned Lazarus man and a creature they'd not yet encountered before.

"Get 'im out the fucking way!" Hyde yelled, charging in towards the monster, his modified chemsprayer lighting the monster up like a beacon.

"No!" Dorde cried out as Bucket pulled him back from the battle between Hyde and the Parasitic monster. Griffin fired a harpoon into the monster's body, preventing it from taking flight. The child's body emitted a scream in agony, almost crying. The Lazarus man bared his teeth at the sight, struggling in Bucket's grasp. It wouldn't take long for the flames to take down the bug-like monster, the body of the child charring, the screaming growing quieter, and then nothing.

The monster was weak, the poor girl's body wasn't enough for the monster to live long, especially against Hyde's fire. It's legs buckled, collapsing to the ground, letting a shriek out as it's body bubbled, dying. Bucket let go of Laz, in which Laz fell to his knees again, staring at the deformed body, then up at Hyde.

"I could have saved her." He hissed.

"Laz she was already fuckin' dead, and you were nearly fucked too." Hyde grunted, fixated on Ðorde.

"You do NOT know that!" Laz raised his voice, standing up.

"We ain't got time, Laz... No use in cryin' over spilt milk."

"You say that... And yet, you cry over such pathetic things like a cubs life?! We were not even here to save wildlife! We are here to save colonists!"

"Shove it."

Griffin and Bucket looked at the two, shaking their heads.

"That it then? We didn't find anyone eh?" Griff said, clearing his throat.

"Nah. We got 'em all." Hyde said, burning the corpse down once more for good measure. Laz stared at the remains of the monster, the colonist child that he'd failed to save. His hand rubbed against his face, he sighed, bottom lip pushed out.

"Cabot, the time is one-thirty-AM, the village is clear of threats, and there is no further sign of life. We are requesting permission to return on board."

...

"Granted, good work, folks." The radio crackled with Cabot's voice, allowing them to return to the ship.