How and when we learned about xeno-spiders

Hebai Province, China - 2199

Chyou Liu 刘 持有, Enceldaus Ocean Life Project Lead

Private Journal

Day 1 - March 15

It's raining at the site but the Pilot assures me we can safely land. They sent a Starship to collect us from our outpost around Enceladus, promising funding in perpetuity for our research into Enceladus' unique oceanic biosphere. The resources the UNSA is pouring into this op are legitimately kind of crazy. Not that I am complaining. If this really is an alien craft, then this is a once in a...what's longer than a lifetime? Once in a...whatever that is...chance.

The pilot wasn't lying. High winds, and a very churned up crash site didn't deter his landing. Unfortunately, the craft is still too dangerous to approach so we are left to distance observations. My current thinking is WOW. It is unlike anything we have ever constructed on Earth, but it is undoubtedly created by some kind of intelligence. Judging by the impact, they probably did not survive the crash.

Day 14 - March 29

We've run every possible test we can without actually getting into the craft. After signing a dozen waivers, the UNSA has provided some safety equipment and allowed me and my team to approach the craft. On the off chance that something terrible happens, I'd like my last words to be something cool. For now, let's go with... "The Universe is a Large place, we will meet again."

Day 51 - May 5

I am certainly glad I didn't have to use my last words there...but it was a near thing. I have apparently been in a coma since March. The last thing I remember is approaching the craft, seeing...a Crab? A Spider? I don't remember very well. Whatever it was, it was about the size of a cat and a little faster. I'm not allowed to see the footage until I am medically cleared by the UNSA, but I am hoping that will be soon.

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Sargent Louis Poussaint, Project Contact Security Lead

Security Report Excerpts

Mar 17, 2200hrs

Science team is on site. They keep pressing for direct contact with the craft. Impossible to know what hazards are inside. Have declined their requests for physical access until a more thorough security sweep can be completed.

Mar 25, 2200hrs

Science team lead dropped off a box of tea. I don't drink tea and tea does not change the security situation. Will continue to monitor Science team to ensure no unauthorized physical access occurrs.

Mar 28, 0500hrs

Orders from the top. The Science team is to be escorted into the craft for physical access and sample collection. I have logged my stringent opposition to this. Arrangements for security have been made to the best of my ability and using the best tech the UNSA has to offer.

Mar 29, 2200hrs

See Medivac log for full injury details from Incident PC.1.29.A.

At 0600hrs we escorted the science team to the alien craft. Corporal Koechel cleared the perimeter while Private Vasquez entered the craft with me. We ingressed through a breached panel on the side. There was no room inside for moving. Along each wall were opened pods, now empty. We reached the end of the clearable space and heard Chyou Liu behind us. She had entered prior to our signal. The attack was sudden and I watched both Private Vasquez and Scientist Liu fall under a swarm of Crab/Spiders. Each measured a half meter long and 25 cm tall. There were approximately 20 of them. I opened fire on them with my ----------- rifle. Five died on top of Scientist Liu. The other scrambled out of the craft and were finished by Corporal Koechel and the automated turrets I had set up on the perimeter.

Apr 15, 2200

Another nest was located 2 miles from the crash site. We settled on calling them Xeno-Spiders because the webs they spin are sticky and resistant to anything but napalm. The creatures seem to prefer dark, enclosed spaces for laying eggs. 8 UNSA platoons have been brought in to scour the area for the Xeno-Spiders. While our efforts have been successful, we continue finding more nests.

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Excerpt from Project Contact Investigation - December 2199

Commander Ayana Lobbo, Project Contact Lead‍

Commander - "On April 20th, we confirmed reports of Xeno-Spider nests at a site 100 kilometers from the initial crash site. Attempts to remove the nests were met with fierce opposition by what we now understand are fully grown Xeno-Spiders."

UN Secretary General Gerhard Nordquist

Secretary General - "And it was at this point that you decided to apprise this council of the containment breach?"

Commander - "No, Sir."

Secretary General - "Indeed. You waited until April 29th before you reported the breach officially. Why?"

Commander - "Site Gamma was isolated and despite being 100 kilometers away, had a clear chain of contamination all of which had been contained."

Secretary General - "You made a judgement call."

Commander - "Yes. Sir."

Secretary General - "Knowing what you know now about the creatures, what would you do differently to avoid the regretable loss of life in Hebai Province?"

Commander - "Sir, I do not believe the loss of life was avoidable."

Secretary General - "In what sense? Surely earlier identification and notification would have saved thousands of civilians?"

Commander - "With all due respect, the craft was open when the first teams arrived. Inside, the pods carrying these creatures were also open and empty. At the risk of anachronism, the Raptors had already breached the fences."

Secretary General - "I take what you mean from context, but it does not answer my question. What would you do differently if given the chance?"

Commander - "Total Annihilation of the craft and the area surrounding the craft....sir."

Secretary General - "Surely you agree that the scientific knowledge to...

Commander - "No, Sir. I do not agree. Whatever these are, they are not intelligent. But whoever sent them is. They are deadly, dangerous, and spread like fire through a match factory. You ask me what I would do differently, Secretary General? I would see this as an act of war and then take actions appropriate to that understanding."

Secretary General - "...."

Commander - "...Sir."

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