Bloodburster

Capt. Kenny replied, "Listen up crew. We have multiple pings that register as unknown. One is on B Deck in the Mess Hall corridor, one is on C Deck at the C2 Junction and one is at the Air Scrubber Shaft. Since we can't verify if they are glitches or the parasites I need you all to take precautions. We have no idea how many of them there are and according to Vera she saw one that looked different. So the parasites might have different looks."
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“73 years...”, whispered the British woman sounding defeated and awestruck. “Fuck.”

She shakes her head and hist the back of her helmet softly against the wall.
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“I’ll take the stuff... if it really can get rid... -cough-cough- ...of this damned hangover.”, Reyes says as she makes her way out the aft door of Cryo 3.
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"Cant stay, can't go, what the F**k." saysRoberts angrily. "If you guys want to live you had better reach deep inside and get some motivation." he says.
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“Easy.”, says Johns.
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“Glenn... please, they need some time.”, says Roku.
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Roberts gave a sigh. "Well we are safe here for now. Doc, how time do we need? Should we fall back to the Aid station? Would that help?", he asked.
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Johns says between heavy breathes,”Glenn is it? You’re a marine ain’t ya? I can tell... I was with the ORDF... lost an arm on Torin Prime...”, he lifts his left arm, but it’s covered by the compression suit.

“I’m 34... but I’m feeling every bit of that 73 years... we’re gonna take these tubes... that Baby Girl gave us... give us 20 minutes, we’ll be right as rain... we’re with you brother...”, he clasps you on the shoulder.
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"Just sit and rest we will get through this. ya, I was a Marine Scout. Now a Marshal. Torin Prime was tuff ground. but can't say I was there It was a bit before my time, Old man." Roberts said jokingly.
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“Sgt. Albert Johns.”, he offers a handshake to Roberts.
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"Hey Capt, can you see when hatches open and close? And if so, did you see that thing open a hatch coming to us?, Roberts asks.
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Kenny replied, "Sadly no. Either these parasites can hide their presence when not moving or we have some serious glitches in our software. My gut is telling me the parasites have some form of camouflage that makes it hard to see them on scans when they are not moving. You may have to use old school tactic, Roberts. Like peanut shells on the floor tactics if you get my drift. Sadly we are limited on time, oxygen and support."
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“Dr. Cooper, how is the medlab?”, Roku asks.

There is no response from the man, who has propped himself back in a pod leaning back like he is sleeping. She shakes him gently.
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Reyes returns. “God, that was like drinking lubricant... made for humans... Feels like I just had an oil change. Certainly not 100%, but I think I’m good to go. I encourage everyone else to take the advice of the Montero crew. Let’s get moving.”
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The British woman unfastens her helmet and sucks down the tube of Hydr8tion gel.

“Tastes like aloe.”

She then promptly puts her helmet back on.
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Johns respectfully distances himself from the others before doffing his helm and taking the strange supplement Roku gave him. He then heads over to a locker and uncovers a shotgun from behind a pile of clothes. He inspects it.
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“Dr. Flynn, did you grab the medkits?”, Reyes asked over the comms.

“Right here.”, Liam Flynn, the mustachioed man showed them hanging from a clasp. He then removes his helmet and takes the sweet sweet Hydr8tion.
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“Right, ok. How’s Cooper?”, Reyes asked.
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“I think he’s out... Dr. Cooper?”, Roku shakes him again and his eyes shoot open suddenly. A trickle of blood leaks from his nose.

“He’s bleeding. Doc, you ok?
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Dr Cooper exhales a strange sound and coughs blood onto the inside of his helmet.
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“Oh God!”, Roku exclaims as the man begins to convulse.
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“It can’t be. We were inoculated!”, Dr. Flynn raises his voice in panic.
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"Dam, no one take their helmets off. We need to get him to another room. Now.", orders Roberts.
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Dr. Flynn and Johns quickly snap their helmets back on.
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“Dr. Flynn what the HELL is happening to him?!”, Roku shouted.
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"Everyone get back. Someone cover him with a weapon other than the Flamer. I hope it does not mutate like the guy in the hall." Roberts orders.
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Shaken, Jensen steps over and pulls his pistol out.

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Roku steps away.
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The British woman stands up with her back against the wall.

“Did you fuck us, Flynn?”
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"Only doc can get close to him.", says Roberts.

"I can't say this in a nice way, but it's up to you, Doc. Your call if we have to shoot him."
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"Man! I don't WANT to shoot him! Like it won't come to that? Right doc?", Jensen stammered.
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"Jensen!", getting his attention. "Breathe. It is ok", Roberts encouraged.
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Roku throws a glance at Roberts in shock, “I... I... I can’t help him without taking off his helmet! He could choke on his own blood.”
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"Take him out of the Cyro room.", Roberts says.
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Capt. Kenny speaks up, "Roku! Delay that! Put him in a cryo pod!"
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Roku pushes Dr Cooper back down into the cryopod and tries to close the lid but the helmet and constant convulsions are making it difficult.
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Capt. Kenny swallows before speaking again, "Listen up people! There is a big chance that man has a parasite in him and we lack the time and tools to save him. Freeze him for now and try to recover so you can come back here. I get you want to save your friend but we don't have the luxury to save him right now. Vera help her!"
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Vera and Roberts walk over and help Roku push the lid down.
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As they hold it down together, the glass spiderwebs and the good doctor stops convulsing. Then over the comms comes sickening pop. A bloody splash lines the inside of his helmet. The crew briefly pauses in shock and disgust, trying to process exactly what it is they are seeing.

There is a squelching of flesh and bone as a slender, gore-covered hand smears around inside the bloody visor, apparently pushing its way out of Cooper’s head. They see spindly white fingers clawing. Whatever it is, it wants out.

Flesh tears; tendons snap, as the thing inside his splintering skull pulls his face open at the jawline breaking out of the visor and plopping down inside the cryopod.

“Kill it! Kill it now!”, someone yells. The tiny translucent-white thing on the inside of the pod sloughs off the rest of its placenta, struggling to stand on four wobbly, fawn-like legs. Shaking brain matter from its spiky hide, the Bloodburster turns a bulbous, eyeless head towards the crew and crouches. It then launches itself at the lid of the cryopod, clawing and shrieking.
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Jensen pushes everyone back and shouts, "I'm shooting this fucking thing!"
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Roberts pumps the shotgun, expelling a frag round that clangs to the floor.
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Simultaneously, Jensen and Roberts fire into the cryopod and the ‘Bloodburster’ is severely wounded, crying out in alien fury.

The bystanders attempt to muff their ears as sudden gunfire erupting in the Cryochamber leaves their ears ringing.

The creature desperately tries to fling itself at Jensen who drops his gun and shields himself behind Roberts. The wounded creature exhales its last slimy breath at Robert’s feet.

There is a pregnant pause.
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- End of Act 1 -