"Warning! Large underground biological signature detected!" Matt's voice barked from orbit. "It's moving directly toward the second outpost's location!"
"It's a Nydus Worm!" Raynor reacted instantly. "Everyone, spread out! Prep for an underground attack!"
Before the words could fully leave his mouth, the ground at the designated outpost site violently erupted. A massive Nydus Worm, over three meters in diameter, burst through the soil. Its gaping maw, lined with rows of razor-sharp teeth, unleashed a deafening screech!
The sudden appearance of the Nydus Worm instantly threw their deployment plans into chaos. Its massive bulk thrashed wildly, sending the recently placed bunker modules flying, while its maw spewed dozens of Zerglings directly into the midst of the engineering crew!
"Fire! Target its mouth!" Raynor roared, unleasing continuous rounds from his rifle into the worm's open gullet.
The Marines and Marauders poured their fire onto the Nydus Worm's thick chitinous carapace, but to little effect. The outer shell of this colossal unit was incredibly dense; light firearms could barely inflict vital damage.
"We need heavy firepower!" Tychus's voice suddenly cut into the comm channel, backed by the sound of fierce gunfire—he had already reached the residential sector and was helping hold the line. "Jimmy! Use the anti-ground missiles on the dropships! Or have the Hyperion launch an orbital strike!"
"Negative! The danger of civilian collateral is too high!" Raynor fired as he fell back, dodging the sweeping motions of the worm's massive body.
Valerie rapidly analyzed the biological structural data of the Nydus Worm on her display. Scans provided by the Eternal Seeker indicated that the thinnest part of its carapace was at the upper jaw joint inside its mouth, but hitting it required absolute precision.
"A3, A4, switch to armor-piercing rounds and target the upper jaw region inside the target's mouth," she ordered calmly.
The two "Security Advisors" immediately adjusted their firing modes. Their heavy bolters loaded specialized magazines, and their barrels tilted up slightly, locking onto the frantically thrashing Nydus Worm.
"Fire."
Two muffled detonations rang out.
The specialized armor-piercing rounds sliced through the air, driving precisely into the open maw of the Nydus Worm and shattering the connection between its upper jaw and carapace. Thistles of thick green blood erupted like a fountain.
The Nydus Worm let out an agonizing shriek, its massive form convulsing violently before crashing heavily to the ground, kicking up a massive cloud of dust and shredded creep.
The Swarm's offensive momentarily stalled.
"Beautiful shot!" Raynor seized the opening immediately. "Swann, get those bunkers back up! Fast!"
The SCV engineering mechs surged forward again, resuming the welding of the bunker modules. Automated turrets were swiftly mounted.
"Second outpost under construction! Estimated time to completion: ten minutes!" Swann reported.
At the same time, Tychus checked in from the residential sector: "We've located Dr. Hanson! The defense line is still holding, but the civilians are panicking. We're already organizing them for evacuation. But there's a catch—we're short on transports. Most of the colony's vehicles were trashed by the bugs. Only five are left operational, and they're running on fumes."
Raynor looked at the tactical map. The distance from the residential sector to the starport was three kilometers. If the civilians had to make the trek entirely on foot under a relentless Zerg siege, the casualty rate would be catastrophic.
"Matt, scan the residential sector and confirm the location and status of those transports," he commanded.
A few seconds later, Matt replied: "Confirmed five colonist transports, clustered in the central residential garage. The structural integrity of the vehicles is mostly intact, but their energy readings are critically low. Furthermore, Zerg density around the garage is high."
"We need to send someone to secure those vehicles and escort them back to the residential center," Raynor thought rapidly. "Tychus, can you spare some men for this?"
"The pressure is through the roof on my end too!" Tychus shouted over the comms. "The bugs are pouring in from every direction! I can't spare the manpower!"
Raynor glanced at the second outpost currently being established. Splitting his forces here to retrieve the vehicles risked compromising the defensive line.
Seeing the dilemma, Valerie spoke up: "Commander Raynor, I can lead my security team to the residential garage to secure the transports. We have experience dealing with heavy units, and our mobility is optimal for this."
Raynor looked toward her position, hesitated for a brief second, and then nodded: "Alright. But keep your eyes open. Once you get the vehicles, drive them straight back to the residential center and hand them over to Tychus. We'll keep the corridor secure."
"Understood." Valerie turned to A5. "Notify A1 through A4 of a mission update. Target: residential garage. Objective: secure and escort the transport vehicles. Rendezvous at the garage."
"Sir," A5 immediately relayed the instructions to the other four "Security Advisors."
Valerie gave Raynor a crisp nod, then quickly left the control room with A5, sprinting toward the starport's north gate. The enhancement systems built into her tactical suit provided a solid boost to her speed and endurance, allowing her to keep pace with the power-armored warriors.
The two passed through the newly established first outpost, moving rapidly along the cleared corridor. Scattered Zerg units crossed their path, but A5 systematically neutralized them with precise fire.
Ten minutes later, they arrived at the outer rim of the residential sector, where the fighting was even more savage. Tychus's squad and the surviving colonial guards were anchoring a defensive perimeter around several buildings, repelling the crashing waves of the Swarm. Inside the structures, civilians watched the battle through the windows in sheer terror.
Valerie didn't linger. Guided by her map overlay, she bypassed the main engagement and moved toward the garage.
The garage sat at the southeastern corner of the residential sector, built as a semi-underground structure. Just as the scans had indicated, a massive convergence of Zerglings and Hydralisks swarmed the area. The outlines of several transport trucks were faintly visible, but the entrance was completely choked by the Zerg.
"A1 through A4 in position, engaging the enemy at the garage entrance," a report came over the channel.
Valerie spotted the four "Security Advisors" approaching the garage from the opposite flank, their heavy firepower tearing through the Zerg blocking the entrance. Their clinical efficiency quickly carved a bloody path through the horde.
"A5, cover me," Valerie sprinted toward the entrance.
A5 followed in lockstep, his heavy bolter firing continuously, blowing apart any Zerglings that tried to close the distance.
The two slipped inside the garage. The interior was dim, illuminated only by flickering emergency lights. Five large transport trucks were parked inside; while they bore varying degrees of superficial damage, they appeared mechanically sound. A few colonial mechanics were hiding behind the vehicles. Seeing Valerie enter, their expressions turned to a mix of shock and relief.
"Are you Raynor's people?" one mechanic asked, his voice trembling.
"Yes. We need these trucks, now." Valerie quickly checked the control panel of the nearest vehicle—the energy levels were indeed dangerously low, but it was enough to drive them to the residential center.
"Fuel is short, but they should make it to the rally point," the mechanic stated. "We can start them up, but we'll need cover."
"Power up all vehicles. Stay behind us," Valerie ordered, while simultaneously projecting instructions to the "Security Advisors" outside. "A1, A2, clear the path ahead. A3, A4, secure the rear. A5, flank security."
One by one, the heavy transport engines roared to life, casting a deep vibration through the garage. The heavy security doors slowly groaned open.
"Move out!"