Hugh Thompson in:

The Value of Life

We were out in the open now and I was a little scared. I had never dealt with living subjects in the lab. We were told it was too dangerous. But as the bio-monsters closed in on our location, I knew that I was in for an experience unlike any other.

I was still pretty unhappy about killing the bio-monsters. Rolf told me that we try to go from location to location without confrontation. I could see why now. I'm not sure what they found at the bio-systems lab, but I'm sure the data on that recorder could have fueled my research, perhaps even form a career from studying it. Only there was a more important issue to deal with. I've never been a fan of interfering with the course of nature. Once, I was responsible for shutting down some projects that might harm the environment. But this wasn't natural evolution that was occurring in Motavia's life forms. They were changing at a rapid rate and something was behind it. For the first time, I feared that nature may harm me.

But even as the others readied their weapons, I couldn't help thinking.

Is this wrong?

"I see them about 80 yards ahead and closing fast," Rudo reported. "Just some ants and mosquitoes. But I don't think there's any easy way around this group. Rolf?"

Rolf drew his sword. "This shouldn't be too difficult. Let's take these things out and make our way into the tunnel. Everyone, stay together now. And keep your guard up!"

The creatures were attacking in groups, much like we were. I never thought insects capable of taking on such human like qualities, but they were hungry and out for blood. I had heard about whole towns suddenly taking on hordes of these monsters with only one intention:

Kill. Eat. Survive.

But we are animals too, right? With our survival on the line?

"Hugh, are you ready?" Rolf asked. "This is your first battle… it might not be so easy."

I examined the weapon they had chosen for me. Rudo told me it was an "acid shot". But that was just a meaningless word to me. I had never fired a gun in my life. "Yeah… as ready as I'll ever be."

"If you'd like, you don't have to fight in this battle at all," Rolf continued. "You can watch and see how we fight. Get a feel for it before you jump in completely."

"Yeah, I might just do that."

"We're all here for you Hugh," Doctor Amy said quietly for only me to hear. "You aren't alone out here."

I nodded in acknowledgment. Not alone. I watched Rudo aim his weapon and I tried to imitate his motions. They were about ten yards away now. I concentrated…

Nei was a blur. I saw her work her way around the first insect and tore at its back with her claws. The savage struggle for survival began.

With an earth-shattering crack, Rudo's weapon fired. It was so loud and I found myself stunned. Rolf was in on the action too, taking a defensive swipe at the nagging mosquitoes.

I was helpless. Watching them fight, slaughtering these senseless creatures… was this really the only way we could defend our planet? And what was with Mother Brain, that she would betray our environment like this? I felt my grip on the cold metal weapon in my hand begin to relax. The weapon that could potentially end a life. To what purpose? How long could you possibly run from a system that controls your fate?

"Hugh!" Amy wailed.

I looked to my left and saw what she was yelling about. A mosquito was after me. I could see his hungry mouth parts moving as its massive gossamer wings swirled dust in the air all around me. In a panic, I fumbled my weapon and watched it slide several feet away and much too far to reach. My only defense now was to shield my face from the creature's stings. The insect was practically on top of me now and I could see the eagerness in his movements as he threatened to take my life from me.

Crack!

The familiar blast of Rudo's weapon. The mosquito literally exploded and his insides burst all over me. The force of the dead creatures guts caused me to fall to the ground. The smell of the thing was far from pleasant.

"C'mon," Rudo urged as he lifted me to my feet. I was once again aware of the action occurring all around me. Rolf was slashing madly at a few mosquitoes harassing him from above. Nei was practically riding an ant as she ripped out its insides. Amy sent a fireball in the direction of another ant who narrowly dodged it.

Rudo turned around and fired. I guess they were approaching from behind. I decided to take the offense this time and went to the aid of the doctor.

The ant was focused on getting close to her as Amy launched fireball after fireball, a spell called Foi. But she was panicking and her aim was erratic. I could deduce by the shape and location of the creature's eyes, it had poor peripheral vision. It hadn't even noticed me. I ran as quickly as I could to recover my weapon, aimed shakily and fired.

Insects don't cry out, but if it could have, I'm sure it would have. A hole the size of my fist appeared in the creature's side and the wound sizzled a gray, gaseous color.

It had no intention of fighting now. It was running away to the best of his weakened ability. Trying to survive. Only I wasn't going to let that happen. Survival of the fittest and I was fitter. I gave chase, cut the thing off and fired another shot into its face. That did the trick.

I could feel the warmth of the gun in my hand. A warmth that told me I had taken its life.

Someday, I'm going to discover the intentions of whoever messed with our Motavia's environment. I'm going to find out why they put us at war with these creatures. And if I don't like there reason, I want to have that same feeling.

So this is what killing is like, I thought.