I got bored at work and put together a little tale as an attempt to kill time. Now that I'm done (and still over 3 hours from closing time, grumble) I decided to post the story and see if I can turn heads.

Oh.. and if you have to be ugly then so be it but positive comments are much obliged.

Just did a grammatic update on the story and added more paragraphs. It's still not perfect but it's a little better. Let me know if you spot anything.


Carcinoma
By Einar.
Written while bored.


Once upon a time our grandparents looked up in to the sky, wondering if there was life out there. Now as I view the little specs of light I wonder how many of them contain threats.

There are so many specs of light.

I remember how scared I became when I first understood the reality of the situation. I couldn't sleep properly for weeks, thinking that "they" would come bursting through the door at any minute.
It all started when my parents were very young. We once had this program dedicated to find intelligent life by monitoring radio waves from outer space. Why they bothered I never knew since the message would probably be hundreds of years old and sending a reply would take additional hundreds of years to reach them, provided that we or they would understand each others transmission to begin with.

Finally there was a result. A solar system only a few dozen light years away lit up. A massive broadcast was detected leaving that system with a strength that could only be explained as a dedicated attempt to signal us. We assumed that whoever was behind it was aware of our existence through our regular broadcast waves that would have been reaching their world for decades prior to the message being sent.
It contained several data streams. Some of them were very simple, demonstrating basic math, undoubtedly to get our attention. Others were more complex which was theorized to be stepping stones to teach us how to decipher the final and largest message that came with the transmission. It looped for several days and then fell silent.

This momentous event caused an uproar in our society. It was an ultimate proof that we were not alone. The government put the greatest minds to translate the message but quickly put a closed lid on the project, not announcing any progress made on the transmission. That is when we noticed an increased budget in the space project. Then more disturbingly we noticed increased budget in weapons research. Additionally civil projects that had attempted independent deciphering announced that the message might contain a threat or a warning. Then we panicked.
The government was forced to show their hand and announce that the message was from a world being invaded. In a dying attempt of resistance the inhabitants of that world sent a warning to us, giving us a fighting chance when the nemesis would discover us. For that was the aggressors purpose, to invade worlds and distinguish its life so itself could prosper and spread. We called the threat Carcinoma.

So many specs of light...

"Are you paying attention?"
"Hmm?"
"PAY ATTENTION!!!"
"Sorry sir."
"Stop ogling the stars. We need to set up these relays and then we are done over here. After that we go inside to rest and continue tomorrow."
"Right away sir."

It's easy to forget yourself out in space. We've been spacewalking for hours now setting up this deep space monitoring station. Once it's finished this station and three others, that are aligned around the edge of the solar system, will monitor any unusual movements and hopefully detect an incoming fleet of alien ships.
Since I joined the military as an electronics technician I've been doing loads of work like this. We've really come far in the last few decades. Soon our world will be like a fortress. Once the home guard fleet and the defense network that these stations are part of are finished we should become rather safe from invasion. We already have become a formidable opponent for the Carcinoma.

"Now align the circuits here and connect these together. Then we should have it ready. Only three more workdays to go and the station is operational."
"We're ahead of schedule. The supply ship that is picking us up isn't due for eight more days"
"That just mean we can relax a little and take a breather once were done here. Now lets try it out. Command center!"
"Command center here!"
"Were done. I want you to power up the topside monitor and run an efficiency test"
"Powering up"

The machinery springs to life as the monitor awakens to embraces the world it's supposed to guard. I start a systems check to ensure that all the pathways are functioning correctly.

"Command center here. We're detecting a fluctuation in the power supply. We're not getting a good image."

I notice that one of the pathways is not attached properly. I turn off the disc section and reattach it then power it up again.

"Hows that?"
"Much better... No wait. Now I'm getting a strange interference."
"Hmm.. now what could that..."

I see that my coworker is frozen in fear. On his visor I notice a strange reflection. As I turn around I see the object of his fears. Out from the darkness of space comes out a black behemoth, floating towards us. It is at least five times larger than the biggest ship we've ever made. I had just watched over the night sky few minutes before but failed to noticing anything until its massive frame blocked out a sufficient amount of stars. Its sleek and oval shapes don't match anything we've ever made. There is no question about it. The Carcinoma are here.
I grab the arm of my coworker and attempt to run to the hangar door in my space suit. No such luck. The best I can do is a slow jog.

"What's going on?"

The command center just called. I had totally forgotten to warn them.

"A ship... it's a ship... the ship... Carcinoma... here... a ship..."
"What are you talking about? What ship?"
"The interference... it's a ship... it's coming this way!"
"... GET INSIDE NOW... Attention! This is an all hands transmission. An unidentified vessel has been detected approaching this station. All hands report to their station."

There are just over twenty soldiers and technicians working on this array. Once finished we were going to turn off the life support and set it on a automated feature. It was never designed as a defensive perimeter. Its only purpose was to give us the heads up. I guess it succeeded in that, now that the command is busy transmitting the emergency call home. I just wish that I was not currently on the station as the enemy approaches.

The run to the hangar was tormenting. The suit slowed me down so much and my legs were aching through the strain. At least my fellow technician had snapped out of it and was running alongside me now. The hangar door was in front of us.
As I look out towards the ship I noticed two small figures leaving it, heading our way at great speed. They had the shape of two darts. To big to be missiles I think. At least I hope that's the case. At that time I realize that they're heading towards the hangar. They're small enough to fit in there.

"We're almost in. Close the hatch."

The thick steel door starts sliding downwards to seal the hangar from the vacuum of space. My legs protest as they fight the stubborn suit. If I get through this then I will hunt down the one responsible for this design. Sure the extra three layers minimizes the changes of the suit breaching but right now I don't care so much.
We make it through just as the door closes behind us and the hangar pressurizes it self.
A crew of 6 soldiers greet us and help us take the suit of. We are given weapons and placed in a defensive line in the hallway connecting the hangar to the rest of the station.

A barricade made from unused steel wall panels have been erected there. We wouldn't want to stay inside the hangar in case it is breached and decompresses. If we can't hold them then we fall back to join a second team of six marines that are waiting further down the hall while the rest of us will set up defenses in the center.
The magnetic soles on my boots quickly kiss the floor platings as I run into position. We hear a bang inside the hangar as if something just hit the hull with enough force to bend the plating but not enough to penetrate it. A second bang is heard elsewhere.

"Team two reporting in. Something is cutting its way into the mess hall through the hull"
"Those must be some sort of boarding pods. The enemy means to take this place. Probably to test our defenses or to examine our technology. Let us show them what to expect if they dare to venture further into our system. Team two, converge on the mess hall and take out anything that crawls through that hole. Team one, protect the access to the hangar."

A large bang is heard inside the hangar followed by another in the mess. We listen to the second teams progres through the comm.

"They've breach the hull."
"Contact!"
Distant gunfire.
"Try to hold them."
"What is that?"
"Got wounded!"
"Help me!"
"Fall back!"
Gunfire dies out.

The door into the hangar blows up and a bright flash comes through, blinding me and the others. When I regain my senses I see two dark figures entering the hall. The sight is horrendous to say the least. Those creatures are not much unlike the insects of our world with the exception of having the same amount of limbs as we do. A black metallic exoskeleton covers their bodies and menacing mouthless heads observe us with large black eyes.

Next thing I see are small green pulses going through two of the stunned and blinded soldiers. The remaining men respond and gunfire erupts around me. The bullets have no effect on the creatures and they demonstrate no regard to protect themselves from the fire.
The weapons they wield fire green death over us. Those who are hit instantly fall down with a large burn wound where they are hit. A third creature walks in to join the fight. Then I notice the alien blast passing through the makeshift barricade where I hide.

I realize the feeblish situation we are in and shout out an order to fall back. Even though I have no real rank I'm still obeyed and I and the remaining two soldiers run of towards the command.
Despite tragic losses we find ourself in a better position than the second team. Only one survivor returned from the mess. There are now only twelve of us left and we haven't killed a single invader nor even sufficiently slow them.
The soldiers are working on setting up a rail gun in the middle of the command center and are building up the same fortifications we had in the hallway around it.
I voice out the flaw in their plan.

"This is no good. Their weapons passed right trough the plates that we used to shield ourself with"
"I know. They are using some sort of plasma weapons. Hopefully this will stop some of the shots."

Plasma guns? Hand held plasma guns? The smallest plasma canon we own is mounted on our flag ship and those creatures are holding them? The commander in charge of the project shouts out orders to everyone.

"Prep your grenades. Get that rail gun online and mount it. Conventional weapons are not working so we need to punch them harder. If we blow a hole on the station then so be it. At least we'll take those monsters out with us."

Two marines that decided to hold out on the hallway outside, in order to buy us more time, have opened fire. Few seconds later, they are silenced as well. We wait transfixed on the door. Heavy footsteps are heard approaching. Three grenadiers are waiting with the armed explosive in their hand as two marines hide behind the turret.
Suddenly the door blows open, followed by a section on the wall 6 feet away. A flashing light is thrown in from both directions. This time I shielded my eyes but I see that some of us have been blinded.

The instant one of the creatures steps in through the door the gunners aim at it and let off three slugs. The first two impact the lower and upper torso while the third hits it straight in the head. It flings backwards and impacts the opposite hallway wall. That's one down.

A second one walks in through the second hole whilst two more appear in cover at the door where the first one walked in. Two grenades are thrown at the creature near the hole while the third is thrown through the door. The rest of us open fire with our guns to distract.
The explosives rock the station but thankfully it remains intact so we remain alive. The creature that walked into the inferno is flung into the air back through the hole it had created earlier, while the ones in cover were shielded by the front of the blast.
A rain of green bolts fly all over the rail gun damaging it and killing the gunners. Through the two holes where the door and a wall section once stood fly in two cylinders. They emit thick smoke that make breathing challenging and visibility drastically decreases.

Green flashes and gunfire can be seen and heard all around me. I franticly aim around me hoping to spot a target. Suddenly I realize that one of the creatures has managed to approach my side. I turn to face it but before I succeed I am stabbed into my side.
The pain engulfs my senses as the blade cuts trough vital organs. The creature then flings me with great strength across the room. Gunfire has stopped. The smoke starts to dissipate. I find myself to be the only current survivor though I realize that I wont be one for long.

There are five creatures currently inside the room. One is badly burned which I can only conclude to be the one caught in the explosion. Two of them are by the door and to my shock I see a sixth one behind them who bears impact wounds after the rail gun. They can even survive that much punishment. The two by the door assist the wounded one, focusing on the neck area.

All of a sudden I hear a big hiss and the head comes loose. The head, which I realize now is in fact a helmet is removed revealing an intriguing face on my tormentors. This creature has a pale face with a fragile frame, eyes with blue pupils and a small nose and mouth. Golden threads grow from its head going down in waves down the back of it. It looks dazed and faint amount of red blood runs out its nose and mouth. I look at the orange stain growing on the side of my shirt and the puddle growing next to it.
Imagine having red blood.

There is a second hiss. Now I notice that the creature that stabbed me has taken its helmet of revealing a much different face. This one is has a much wider head and facial features, nothing is growing from its topside and the skin and pupils are much darker. I wonder if they have any orange skin tones like ours.
I find these creatures to be quite beautiful. Maybe they design their helmets to look more threatening. I find it hard to believe that these graceful faces are capable of destroying worlds, that these are the Carcinoma.
The dark skinned one talks to the pale one with gentle, comforting tones. It points out that I am still alive and hands the pale one the knife that was used to stab me. The creature stands up, walks towards me and plunges the knife deep into my chest.

At least we successfully warned my people. The Carcinoma are coming.

I hope you enjoyed. It was awfully long, I know.

So is this story about drive-thru movies? :D

Carcinoma... sounded at first like a virus name.

I just wished the paragraphs were more separated. If this were a book its ok but since its online the paragraphs should be like 2-3 sentences per paragraph.

Just my opinion.

Actually, carcinoma is another name for cancer but a virus is definitely close enough. I will take your advise and editing the story to have more space between paragraphs.

Also in hindsight I think it would have been better to post the story in 2-3 stages so that it would have felt like you were flipping through pages. Basically I mean post the first third and then reply to myself second and third part.

This story is very action movie like and kind of cheesy but I though the idea of painting up an image of humans being the evil invaders was a cool touch.

*Edit*
There Like I said I would, I have added additional paragraphs and space between them to make the reading easier.

Product Placement
Actually, carcinoma is another name for cancer but a virus is definitely close enough. I will take your advise and editing the story to have more space between paragraphs.

Also in hindsight I think it would have been better to post the story in 2-3 stages so that it would have felt like you were flipping through pages. Basically I mean post the first third and then reply to myself second and third part.

This story is very action movie like and kind of cheesy but I though the idea of painting up an image of humans being the evil invaders was a cool touch.

*Edit*
There Like I said I would, I have added additional paragraphs and space between them to make the reading easier.

My 10 year old brother wrote a short story for a creative writing class... about a marine who was sheltering an alien from the other marines.

I might put it up in comic form one of these days. :)