- epilogue -

It felt like a week to those still standing, but finally the canister panels lit red indicating 
their toxic contnts was ready to be released into the ventilation system. The chief technician, 
who had been staying closer to them durign the whole attack, approached the machine. 
All that it required was the final preparation, check it operated at full capacity, 
and then he spoke over the intercom. 

'Stand clear! Make sure your biological filters are working. We are ready to unleash hell upon them'.

He took one last breath from the thick air of the corridor, spoke a small prayer, put
on his mask and pressed the start sequence button.

At first, nothing seemed to happen, but suddenly the deadly smoke started to 
amass on the top of the mechanism, spreading out to the airducts.
The chambers ventilation system, working at maximum capacity, quicky expanded the 
toxins into the neighboring ventiliation shafts and onto the sectors nearby. Although 
the compact whiteness of the smoke had faded as the toxins expanded, the remaining 
soldiers shortly saw its deadly effect. The swarm, roaming down the 
corridors lost their momentum and fell to the floor. Slowly their intestines 
burned like acid and one by one they perished under the agony caused by the poison gas. 

Without any kind of facial expression behind their masks the marines observered the
dying enemies, and the following minutes slowly went by as life scans reported 
that more and more advisaries were confirmed killed. It was a gruesome sight, but
to those that fought this day, it was indeed a welcome one.

'Praise the gods that the ventilation was still intact.' 

Commander Bellisar's well known voice was the first one over the intercom in 
a while, as the squads stood quiet and listened to the death rattles far down the 
cold and dark corridors. The small hint of cheerfulness in Bellisar's words was the
indication that the campaign was over. 

It did not take long before a transport pod containing the fatigued but joyful soldiers 
took them back to the fleet's flagship. It could have been a moment ago that they all 
crash-landed on the vessel, but more than ten hours had passed.

Once they were on board the mothership, and cleared from any signs of contamination, they were 
all invited to join Commander Bellisar in a small but prestigious ceremony.
To honor their efforts and deeds on this day, Commander Bellisar personally saluted his men.
'You have all excelled way beyond what humanity could ever expect of you. It is 
my distinct honor to place upon your chest these well deserved decorations.
As I salute you, let us place a thought with all of our friends that gave
their lives so that the rest of us could continue living free from the alien threat'.

Although honored to recieve these noble words from a man familiar with the field of
battle, the men took no particular joy nor pride in the medals they were given.
Eagerly awaiting their next task they continued their voyage to Bhaal, and to their next mission.
Without moving a single muscle in their faces they bid Bellisar farewell
and continued their journey. Such dedication among men was rare indeed.
Commander Bellisar knew that is why the Alien Assault Force had grown such a high 
reputation throughout the universe. He had been fortunate to lead these men once more.

The fate of the errant ship would prove to be a classified matter. When cleared from danger,
its destiny would become a mystery. All that is left is speculations about why that gigantic vessel
had drifted aimlessly though space, maybe for several centuries. 

Its current location would forever be unknown. Perhaps the future would hold some kind of answer.

- THE END -
.
