The activation shaft of the fusion grenade clicked into place. Long insect fingers slowly rotated the upper sphere, arming the deadly device. Red timer lights began to pulse as the intruder slid the grenade under the laboratory control console. The air began to crackle as positively charged ions filled the lab. The stealthy figure slipped swiftly out of the target area, his insect legs clicking a stacatto beat on the metal floor.

Major Coren Davstar knew nothing of the impending destruction in the nearby lab. As chief of security for BioStar labs he had lead the company to 12 years of unblemished security… until today. He was a relentless perfectionist with an uncanny knack at playing hunches. In the past, Coren’s gift for hunches and the use of his subconscious had gotten him out of countless scrapes in the InterGal Police Force. It was a survival mechanism that had guided him well throughout his career. He always made it a practice that when he got a hunch, to act first and ask questions later. Today was no exception.

Walking down the empty corridor, he turned the corner into the lab. Instinctively he tapped his voxLink to recheck sensor outputs. He froze in mid-stride, feeling the air tingle and crackle with static ions. He began his dive back into the hallway before his mind had even registered the almost imperceptible clicking. Rolling into the hall and crashing through a supply room door, simultaneously slamming the alarm switch on his voxLink. He felt rather than heard the explosion. The shockwave erupted through the floor as the deafening sound crashed over him. The fusion grenade detonated releasing a nova wave of negative particle ions. The resulting fusion reaction literally disrupted all atomic matter within a 10-meter radius. The impact wave sent a devastating ring of destruction expanding outward. Major Davstar lost consciousness as the walls and surrounding corridors shredded and continued to buckle.

Triggering the alarm switch moments before the detonation initiated several emergency protocols. Media disks slammed into protective covers, silicon wafers flashed their contents onto transfer chips archived around the building. In the research business, data represented knowledge, and knowledge represented power. Data was the precious commodity that was painstakingly extracted and refined. It took time and money to create meaningful data, so disaster response scenarios were crafted to maximize data protection. It wasn’t long before security teams and a data recovery team began working into the nightmare of devastation that represented one of the premier research labs in this sector.

Major Davstar regained consciousness as the area began to fill with response teams. His mental gears began to turn even as his ears were still ringing. Orders came naturally as he pondered the situation.

“Close all perimeters, that was a timed device. Whoever set it couldn’t have gotten far.” Davstar said, pulling himself to his feet.

He tried to steady himself against a twisted girder and clear his thoughts. He knew the protocol inimately since he had written most of it. He knew the direction this investigation needed to take. In the short term he needed to rely heavily on his command team. Hand picked for their keen eyes for detail, Major Davstar knew they would fulfill their tasks swiftly and with unswerving dedication. He knew that the first steps to launching any response were launching Captain Dellis and Lieutenant Crayton.

“Sensors show no anomalies across any of the approach vectors to the lab” Dellis reported.

“Outer perimeter is tight as a drum,” added Crayton.

“Well obviously somebody set it.” Davstar said, holding his head in his hands.

“Yours was the only voxLink in the area.” Dellis noted, reading the screen on his handput device.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Davstar quipped, his head lifting up.

“It means whoever did this was a real pro.” Crayton interjected.

He stood up like a bolt, knocking his chair over backwards. For nearly ten seconds he stared at the floor, his mind racing. Suddenly he pounced on the computer console next to him and began to furiously call up maps and diagrams. What if the intruder wasn’t human? Most of the sensors in the conduit runs were thermal. A creature that could match temperatures could get through. Zooming in to one portion of a map he ran his finger along the screen, counting quietly.

“Gotcha!” he shouted, slamming his fist down on top of the monitor.

He ran for the door, his mind racing. Every facet of his being focused on one thought. He had to get to the main conduit feed in the sub basement before it was too late. How long had it been, fifteen minutes? twenty? He cursed himself for taking so long. The answer was right in front of him all along. He was running at a dead sprint now. The corridors were empty of people, all gathered to emergency contingency locations. His heart raced, turning the corner he saw the elevator. Pulling out his voxLink as he ran, he held down his security override button, opening the locked elevator. Holding down his override button, he jammed the button for the lowest level, causing the elevator to descend at its fastest rate. As the doors opened he shot through them, sprinting down the cement corridor. He counted junction boxes along the floor. The air was cool and damp here on the lowest level, fully seven stories underground. He tried to run as quietly as he could, staying close to the wall. His mind raced ahead to the final junction box, his footsteps echoing lightly. Finally he stopped, lungs heaving. He kneeled down over the last junction box panel. It was a large panel, the largest in the complex, nearly four feet long and two feet wide. He set his hands on the panel feeling for vibrations, sweat dripping down his face. Desperately he grabbed the access handle and began to pull. Straining, he wrenched the panel open. Lifting it aside he stared down into the junction box.

He knew at once that his hunch was correct. There was a small tunnel leading into the empty junction box. He smelled the bitter smell of the acid still fresh on the sides of the tunnel.

“I knew it!” Davstar said, kneeling down with his hands on his thighs. “It had to be the way it got in! What else could wriggle through those cable chutes and wouldn’t trip the heat sensors either?”

Davstar sighed heavily. He knew he had one possible chance to get this intruder when he came out through the junction box and back into the tunnel. As an Intergal officer he knew about the discovery of large insects called EntoPods. He had heard rumors of people training EntoPods to perform work on uninhabitable planets, even some complex mining and processing work. But he had never heard of one being trained to do demolitions.

“Very clever,” thought Davstar, “get a bug to do the dirty work and leave no trace of the true villain. With no identifiable language of their own, bugs could never identify who hired them.”

Suddenly Davstar froze. He could hear a faint clicking and scraping sound coming from the cabling trough. Quietly he moved to the opposite side of the box from the tunnel, putting him behind the line of sight of the cable trough. Quietly he pulled out his VapPulsor and rotated the iris down to the smallest aperture. He would needed maximum power to penetrate the ExoArmor if it was an EctoPod.

The Major waited, wiping the sweat out of his eyes. Listening to the slowing of the steps. An EntoPod no doubt would have detected his heat signature by now.

“Come to papa.” Coren thought. His muscles ached as he trained his VapPulsor on the empty junction box waiting for the bug appear. Moving along the cabling chute, he knew the bug was most likely following a scent trail to return to the tunnel.

He couldn’t shake the thought that he was missing something. He knew the worst error he could commit would be to underestimate this enemy. If an EntoPod had been trained to execute such a complex operation, maybe it had been trained to do much more. Suddenly, with a horrible flowing motion, a creature shot out of the open panel with a speed that defied the imagination. Stunned, Davstar tried to snap off a shot but it was too late. With lightning speed the insect unfolded to a towering height. Dazed, Coren stared up at the EntoPod who stood erect behind him. The bug lashed out with an appendage sending the Major’s gun sprawling across the cement corridor. Instinctively Davstar knew this creature was going to kill him and desperation born of necessity gave him strength. Davstar feinted to the right and then lunged left plowing his knee into the insect’s rock-like thorax. Sensing the insect shifting his weight for a stabbing blow, Davstar rammed the butt of his hand into a seam where the exoskeleton plates joined, spinning himself away in the direction of his gun. Davstar dove toward his gun but the insect was on him in a flash. The Major winced as the insect’s razor sharp claw scraped along his lower leg, tripping him. The insect was on him instantly; Coren tried to break free wriggling onto his back. The bug effortlessly brought down a lightning quick stroke with his claw, piercing Davstar’s shoulder and pinning him to the ground. Coren screamed in pain and kicked blindly. Looking up Davstar saw what the creature used for a mouth and his terror was complete.

Pulling his knee to his chest, Davstar pulled the vibroblade from the sheath in his boot. In short swift strokes he stabbed the blade at the bug. His blade could not penetrate the thick armor of the bug’s exoskeleton. Switching his grip, Coren swung a vicious backhand stroke across his body. The vibroblade found home and wedged between two plates of the bug’s armor. Feeling the bug recoil, Coren turned the blade to try and wrench it free. In one powerful motion, the bug turned and lunged across the hall. Jerked along like a rag-doll, Coren could feel the blade sliding under the bug, plunging deep into it’s belly. Nearly blacking out, Coren felt the bug wrench and twist it’s body in a painful spasm. As the bug twisted his body and drug the lifeless form along the floor, the gash tore deeper until the deadly wound stretched across the entire underside of the creature. Finally the creature fell to it’s side, the blade falling free.

Unconscious, Davstar lay in a clump beside the bug, his hand still clutching the vibrobade. This was the position he remained until a forward security team sweeping the corridor discovered him.

The patrol lowered their guns and stood staring at the devastation.

“Crimson Stars! What in the galaxy is that thing?” one patrolman asked.

“That’s some kind of massive mutant entoPod on steroids!” the security guard said, hesitantly prodding the carcass with his rifle.

“Who killed it, we’re the only strike team in the vicinity?” asked another.

“The Major did!” said the sargeant, with a new respect in his voice.

“With a VapCannon?” asked a private, lifting his visor.

“With a stinking vibroblade!” came the response.

For the second time in an hour, Coren Davstar pulled himself to his feet and shook his head clear.

“Do you want us to get a med team down here for your shoulder sir?” asked the Sergeant.

“I’ll go up and see the doc in a minute, first I’ve got to check out a few things.” Davstar replied.

The Major began to inspect the carcass looking for any signs or clues about it’s mission. After a short inspection he located the pouch where the grenade was carried. Removing the pouch, the Major continued to pore over the slick armored shell. After some time, Davstar noticed several micro probe-serts at the base of the creatures skull.

“Looks like this cockroach was taking orders from someone else.” He thought.

“I’ve got a bad feeling about this.” The Major knew inserting a medulla-stim array of probe-serts to control or train behavior relied heavily on technology from one research firm. His own. His heart sank. He knew that all the signs pointed to the same conclusion. This was an inside job.

Carefully Davstar removed three of the probe-serts and slipped them into his jacket. He knew he couldn’t bring anyone else in on this portion of the investigation. As he went back to his lab, his mind began to race. If this attack originated from within BioStar labs, then the perpetrator had to be high up, very high up. He examined the probe-serts, turning them over in his hands.

"These are our experimental prototypes." He muttered. "Geez, only a handful of top execs even know these exist." Realization begain to slam down in waves. Once word got out that the bug was stopped, the perpetrator would have to know that the probe-serts would be found. What would he do? Destroy the evidence? Try to silence the investigation?

Back in his office, Davstar mounted the probe-serts into the spectra-scope. He knew he had only moments to act before the perpetrator would be tipped off. He had to be a step ahead. He knew his own life would be in danger, But that’s not what filled his thoughts now. He knew if he could think quickly, he could stay a step ahead and force the perpetrator’s hand, draw him out.

Leaning back from the spectro-scope, Davstar rubbed his eyes. He knew where he had to start. He didn’t want to face it, but he knew what his path was. The spectral signature and micro-ID checked out. He scanned the requisition list and signatures. Coren read the name on the bottom of the list and slammed his fist on the table. He’d hoped he was wrong, and yet in his mind he knew it had to be true. Who else could it be? It had to be him.

The Major jumped as his VoxCom crackled.

“Major Davstar! Crayton here.” The voice filled the small room.

“The president's gone ballistic! He wants to know your exact location. He’s locked down the entire facility…says there’s a possible contaminent..”

The Major tore off his VoxCom and dropped it down the waste tube. He knew he couldn't be tracked with it.

Fifteen stories up, the president of BioStar paced the floor of his office.

Leaning back against the wall, Davstar slid down till he was seated on the cool floor. He felt weak, from the injuries and from the devastating revelation from the insect. He tried to think. He wished he could clear his head, wished he could just stop the swirling chaos that filled his mind. Pulling his knees up into his chest and burying his head, he tried to calm himself. His instincts had saved him again. He had to rely on them once more for survival. He needed to play a hunch; he needed to tap into his subconscious level to see beyond. To see the reality. If the president had indeed arranged this attack it would be the end of BioStar. The Major considered the facts. Any investigation would be initiated by the President’s group. He would be discredited from being the only person within the vicinity of the explosion, and having the good fortune of living through it. The Major knew the president was very well connected, he had no doubt that the president would have little problem arranging any number of scenarios to come out clean.

Shock turned to grim resolution as the Major realized that the president’s plan could not allow him to live. He would be considered an unexceptable liability. An idea began to form in the back of Major Davstar’s mind. A hunch began to gnaw at him. The Major knew if his hunch was right, there was only one recourse for his survival… to act first. Stumbling to his feet, Davstar ran back toward the elevator.

Emerging on the top floor, the Major approached the guards at the first secure zone.

“Major!” One of the guards said. “We lost your VoxLink.”

“Yeah, I had a nasty run in with a hungry entoPod” Davstar said, “Where is President Virtane right now?”

“He’s in his office. He’s cordoned off the lowest level and is evacuating the building. What’s going on, Major?” One of the guards asked.

“Don’t know yet, Charlie, has the executive wing been cleared out?” Davstar asked

“Roger, Virtane cleared it out himself. Says he wants an armed escort all day. He’s holed up in his office.”

“Say Charlie,” Coren stopped, “Why don’t you give me your VoxLink? It’ll cost me an hour to get mine replaced.”

“You’re the Boss.” Charlie said, unclicking his VoxLink and handing it to Major Davstar.

Major Davstar set off down the corridor, limping from the lacerations along his calf and the puncture wound in his shoulder. Travelling along the long corridor, Davstar entered the executive wing. Turning the corner, he held the borrowed voxLink up to the security panel. The panel beeped as the door clicked unlocked. Stepping into the president’s outer reception area, four security guards stood up.

“Major,” A big guard said, “no one knows what’s going on. First that explosion, now the president wants a security detail, and….”

“Hey, what happened to you?” another guard interjected.

“It’s OK men,” Davstar said, his voice steady. “We’re sorting it out, it looks like we’re in no immediate danger. Why don’t you four report to Captain Dellis, I’ll take over your security detail here.”

“Sure boss.” The big guard said. The four stared at each other blankly. Not knowing what to do.

Finally the Major broke the silence.

“Let’s move it men, you have your orders.”

The four men filed silently out of the large room. Major Davstar was alone in the reception room outside the president's office. Quietly, he crept to the president’s office door. The latch panel showed the door was locked. The Major knew his security clearance could not unlock this door. It was the only door in the building he couldn’t unlock. However, being head of security left him with other options. He walked back to the entrance to the outer reception room. Setting his VapPulsor to a wide array, he aimed a long blast at the latch. Soon the metal began to droop and flow together, fusing into one piece of slag, effectively locking himself in.

Traveling back the president’s office door, Davstar slowly pried the cover off the security latch. Working quickly and quietly, he overrode the security clearance, disabling the lock. Now running his access card over the latch panel, the door clicked open. Davstar put his shoulder to the door knocking it open and springing into the room.

Startled by the intrusion, President Virtane jerked back in his chair.

“Coren, what are you doing here?” The president asked dumbfounded.

“I bet you’re surprised to see me.” Davstar said, leveling his gun at the president’s head.

“Take it easy, Coren. What’s this all about?”

“Don’t play dumb with me, Virtane.” Davstar snapped.

“Look Coren, if you’re in some sort of trouble we can work it out” The president said, slowly rising from his seat.

“You know Coren, I got a strange phone call last week. We need to talk.”

A sharp pounding came from the outer door. Davstar lost concentration for an instant, turning his head. Virtane went for a drawer, yanking it open. Davstar fired two blasts. The big man hovered for a moment over the drawer, then leaned slowly forward and slumped over his desk. A large VapPulsor hole in his torso.

“What’s going on?” a voice shouted from the outer hall. Davstar knew it to be Crayton. “Are you all right Sir?”

The Major’s borrowed voxLink beeped, Dellis’s voice boomed into the room.

“Major, I’m glad I found you! I can’t believe it! President Virtane! He’s done it sir. He’s a genius. I don’t know how he knew but he knew. He moved the entire lab into a secure facility. We didn’t lose one byte of data. He must have had a tip off or something. Sir if you see him, shake his hand for me, the guy really saved our hides this time!”

All at once the weight of reality came crashing down on Major Davstar. He’d played one hunch too many. He'd been set up. He’d played right into his adversary’s hands. This was never a terrorist attack, this was a planned assassination of the president and senior research associate of BioStar labs, and he’d played right into the trap. Slowly the Major brought his arms down. He dropped his voxLink clinking to the floor.

“Hey Major, what’s going on? Are you alright? Major… Major…????”