Disturbing Discovery

[Nazsteph]

"What was so important that you had to get me out of bed?" General Kathra was the head of the medical department. Not a "fighting" General, he was used to getting a full nights sleep. His position was mostly making sure all the medical facilities had all the right equipment and staff, nothing that usually couldnt wait til morning.

"Sir. Alpha Company just got back, they brought something you need to see." Lt. Faen was Kathra's most trusted advisor. Faen's position placed him exactly where he could supply Kathra with vital information, making sure he was never surprised by anything that he would have to deal with.

"Couldnt this wait until morning?" He asked knowing full well that if Faen woke him up it was important.

"No, Sir, it couldnt." Faen usually shrugged off Kathra's minor complaints, but the flat tone in Faen's voice let Kathra know this wasnt only important it was serious.

"What is it?"

Faen opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. He motioned down the hallway, "follow me."

They were heading down toward the biolab containment facility. Noticeing the direction they were heading he offered up a silent prayer, 'please God not another virus'.

The last virus tore through the population like an out of control fire, everyone was touched. Only the combined efforts of all three Empires finally contained it. Working on the virus was only a little less tricky than working with the VS and NC.

By the time they reached the containment facility Kathra had tied his stomach into knots. But, when the outer doors to the observation room slid open he was not prepared for what he saw.

"What is it?" Kathra could only stare into the containment room.

A very thin man-like figure sat huddled in one of the corners. Its waxy skin was grey and looked like it was wet to the touch. The eyes were large but looked human, that is until a black hidden lens slid out from the side, makeing them dark pools of endlessness. It slowly blinked causeing Kathra to blink in unison. It had five digits on its hands slightly longer than a man's, except for the pinky which seemed to eminate from the wrist and act like a second opposable thumb. Its muscles were thin almost string like but it gave the impression of strength with every movement.

"Its resting now, but watch." Faen spoke to the General but he too couldnt pull his eyes off the creature in the room not more than 10 feet from them.

It was a flash of movement, Kathra couldnt follow, the thing seemed to just disappear.

"Did you see that?" Faen had a smile on his face.

Kathra relised that Faen was excited about this thing, it only filled him with terror. "What happend?"

"It moved."

"That fast? I didnt even see it. Where is it now?"

"Its in the opposite corner."

"What? Where?"

"There." Faen pointed to an obviously empty corner.

"Wait...Here." Faen hit a couple buttons and the glass shimmered. The sterile picture of the room suddenly changed into an explosion of color, Greens, Blues, Purples, Reds, Yellows they all seemed to be there. Then he saw it, in the corner that Faen had pointed to.

There was the thing, unmistakably, sillowetted in dark reds, oranges and only a couple yellows. It must be very hot to produce such an intense thermal picture.

Echoing his thoughts Faen said, "This thing is hot. Look at the other corner, it still registers fifteen degrees warmer than the walls it didnt touch."

"What is it?" The General asked again.

"We think its a Vanu."

"What? Arn't they extinct?"

"Appearantly not sir."

The observation room door slid open and a young soldier stepped in. He saluted both Kathra and Faen, then handed Faen a folder. He saluted again then turned and exited without saying a word.

Faen looked over the report his face turning to ash.

Faen handed the report to Kathra, "Here."

Kathra seemed to shrink while reading. He looked up at the burning silluette through the window. "They wouldn't..."

"They have."

"The Vanu Sovrienty's obsession with alien technology has gone too far."

Kathra set down the report, he turned slowly towards the door, it slid open with a hiss. "Kill it." Then he disappeared down the hall.