New Warrington, Earth

Slime dripped from its secondary jaws. It watched carefully, seeing without eyes as the marines scoured the corridors. Watched them search the floor and walls. They ignored the ceiling. That was their mistake. Motionless, it waited.

The lead marine slowed as the tracker picked up a faint signal, potentially a bug. Safeties were thumbed off as they spread out to cover the entire width of the corridor, alert to the danger. Or so they thought. One passed directly underneath it. It dropped. The tearing sound as its talons released their grip on the secretion was the only indication the marine had of the impending attack. He looked up, and saw the dark shape falling towards him. He closed his eyes and tensed to receive the blow.

For a brief moment the entire corridor was illuminated by the weapons discharge. The Xeno's torso flew in one direction, its head in another.

"Enough!" Lights flicked on. The corridor and Xeno disappeared. The shooter lowered his weapon.

"Congratulations. You're dead."

The marine took off his helmet and looked at the ground. "Guess I fucked up pretty good there. Guess we all did?"

"You guess right soldier. These things are not your conventional stand and wait enemy. They will run at you, they will wait in ambush in corners and alcoves, and the walls. They will also, as you have just discovered hang from the ceiling until the vital moment."

"Remember. These things are smart. They learn, and they adapt. That's what makes them so hard to kill. They may be the work of some God, with a very sick sense of humour, or even the devil incarnate, I don't know. But what I do know is that they are mean, and many."

"That said, I am impressed by your search. Very thorough. You were spaced out correctly and deployed very well. A few more of these Sims and I'd gladly lead you into battle. But remember, this model is based only on what we currently know. The hives are constantly changing, and vary according to where they're built. It could be on a ship, in a building, or even built into the ground. We still don't even know what the substance is. It's organic, insulating and non-toxic. Beyond that, nada. When you go in, be careful. The best advice I can give you when you go into a hive, is keep one back."

"Excellent shooting Captain McKenn." a voice called from the gantry above.

McKenn looked up and saluted. "Thank you Sir." He turned back to the squad. "Dismissed."

He watched them go, then jogged up the steps to the gantry. "To what do I owe the pleasure Major Olst?"

"Your presence is required by General Jimenez in the Command Centre. Your knowledge of the Xenos and certain systems is required."

"Sounds like a bug hunt to me sir."

"You know I can't comment on that Captain." Olst remained poker-faced. It was an expression McKenn knew well. Only two particularly old Immortals had taken more money from him at cards and chess than the Major.

McKenn smiled. "Understood. Time for a shower first sir?"

"Double-time Marine. Dismissed."

McKenn saluted, and marched away.