Greetings, dear readers!
Continuation. The beginning read: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39.
Returning to the ship, the commander primarily ordered to make full combat gear and pick up weapons for the squad that will travel to the settlement of the colonists for protection from nasty insects.
Not knowing what may be the most effective to fight with strange creatures, it was decided that each member of the squad to take the weapons of several types.
Each of them had to pick out the right equipment, which can effectively protect it from the bites of the enemy.
I, as a biologist, for a while, while the others were preparing to March, was given the task to try to determine to what class of toxic substances should include the poison that killed the colonists. A sample of his tissue before returning to the ship I was kindly provided by Todd.
The results of my research were disappointing. Poison extracted from the tissues of the deceased, the science was not known. Respectively, not was against him and no antidote.
To find it and make it in the required quantity, it took time, which we did not have.
And material to conduct more thorough research and find a cure against the poison wasn't enough. But I was hoping I could get some fresh samples upon arrival at the camp.
The commander at first was against my participation in the rescue mission, but under the pressure of my arguments, he was forced to acknowledge my point and allow me to go along with the group. At the same time, I was assigned the duties of a doctor in case anyone needed medical assistance.
My supervisor Pete stayed on the ship to monitor his condition.
Simultaneously with the preparation of group of fast reaction of the crew dealt with the safety of your space ship and those on it will remain.
About an hour before dusk, we again drove off and managed before the onset of complete darkness post sentries around the perimeter of the village.
Under my lab, Todd was given a separate small room that had only one small window near the ceiling close to the vent.
Material for research I will be able to get only in the morning, and while I was equipping the laboratory so that it was convenient for me to work in it. As to the rest, too. Todd ordered a cot for me in case I ever wanted to take a NAP.
After finishing work, I went to the living room, but it was almost empty. Only one person was on duty at the transmitter and at the window stood our soldier, intently peering into the darkness.
I went to the cooler, gathered themselves to boiled water, made tea and waited for developments.
Soon the entire perimeter of the fence turned on the spotlights, in the light of which it was possible to distinguish the figures of guards.
For a long time it was quiet. Only occasionally were heard the interchanges between them. I really had thought that the night is quiet, but suddenly near the fence there was a huge broken shadow, he heard people screaming and gunshots.
The battle, however, did not last long. Apparently, the creatures did not expect to meet such a massive fire. Maybe some weapon could have broken through the chitin coating on their bodies.
After a few minutes the door opened and in walked several men, who were dragging something shapeless that upon closer examination turned out to be nothing more than a corpse of one of these vile animals.
"Vicky, take the trophy," said Arthur, who was also in the group of people who entered the room.
"Yes," said the captain, - have a job for you. Preparerow this monster, find out all you can about him. We need to know what it is and how to deal with it.
The men dragged the spider's corpse into my makeshift lab and put it on the table.
I pulled on a medical robe, put on a mask and turning on the lamp above the table, began to examine.
At first glance, this animal did not differ from the earthly spider, except that their enormous size. But upon closer inspection I noticed on the tips of his paws, the claws with the bags of poison.
This individual managed to release from my clutches, almost all the poison. Only one of them slowly solidified amber small drop.
I carefully and gently removed with tweezers that drop and put it in the tube, then to study its composition.
Then he made a detailed description of the structure of the body "spider", noting that it moves on eight legs, has a strong external protection of chitin with an admixture of minerals unknown to me. Eyes this creature had quite a complex structure and was located around the head, making one hundred percent overview with all sides.
Struck me and the size of the brain of the animal, as well as its structure. Perhaps, with the level structure of the brain could be assumed that they may have telepathic abilities.
In General terms, the structure of the bodies of local spiders was identical to earth, so I will not dwell on their description.
I removed the remains of the arthropod from the table in a plastic bag and asked the men who were in the next room to put it out. Having cleaned the laboratory, I took a vial of poison and sat down at the table, where I had already prepared preparations for the experiments.
Until I "conjured" over them, has come morning. The people who stood in the cordon, returned to the house. Part of the detachment went to check the state of Affairs in the fields and farms of the colony. When they returned, they brought with them the carcass of a dead animal that night - a cross between a cow and a horse.
I took samples of his flesh and entrails, made extracts for further experiments, but then the fatigue and late nights has taken its toll and I had to postpone for a time their research.
Along with other members of the detachment, I returned to the ship, took a shower and immediately fell asleep...
Waking up three hours later, I did not feel completely rested, but there was no time to lie down. As long as people are in real danger, we must make every effort to eliminate it.
Here on the ship, had more opportunities to, as quickly as possible, conduct experiments to find an antidote. Besides, here I have been the assistant, a dark and silent pit, so the next watch squad left without me. I only prepared for them in case of emergency all necessary medicines.
To be continued...