Chapter 331 - Acklay Infants (1/2)

Faster than any of the clones, even Dageer, could react, a green blur appeared from under the box, and jumped on Combo. Scared by the explosion of the droid popper, the creature had attacked the first thing it saw, and sunk it's razor-sharp teeth into his throat.

The clone couldn't even scream, and all that came out was a gurgling noise. Letting go of his weapons, he tried to push the creature away, but all he managed to do was trip and fall. Dageer watched as two of the six legs of the spider-like being pierced Combo's torso, and he stopped struggling immediately. The Phase II armor, reinforced with blast padding, was weaker than paper before the sharp limbs.

Although it was clear Combo was dead, Dageer and his brothers couldn't bring themselves to shoot the creature, for fear of hitting him. Instead, Tech ran forward, and kicked it. The animal, however, didn't appear to feel the blow. Instead, it shrieked at the clone, before jumping towards him.

But Tech wasn't just any trooper, and was prepared for it. Pressing the trigger two times in quick succession, he hit it's head. Still in midair, the creature was launched in the opposite direction by the force behind the lasers, and, impressively, managed to get up, even though two black holes had replaced the right half of it's head. Still, it's steps were shaky, and it was clear it was at it's wit's end.

Not wanting to take any chances, after seeing what the beast was capable of, all the clones fired at it a few times. This time, when it fell, it didn't get up.

Alsten knelt besides Combo and checked on his brother before shaking his head. Not only had the animal bitten his throat, but it had also pierced his heart with it's legs. There was no doubt it was a creature that evolved to kill quickly and efficiently.

”What is that?”

Finally being able to have a good look at the beast, Dageer couldn't help but ask. He had seen and killed many monsters in the galaxy, including the mighty Rancors, but he had never seen anything like that. It was light green, and had six long, and extremely sharp legs. They didn't end in any kind of paw or claw, but in a tip that would put any blade to shame. As for it's head, it was supported by a long neck, and it was slightly flat. Most of it was completely deformed because of the lasers, but Dageer could make out the rows of sharp teeth.

”I think it's called an Acklay, sir. I saw it during the First Battle of Geonosis. I was on the gunsh.i.p.s sent to that arena to rescue the Jedis, and the bugs had trained one of those things to fight. It was trying to eat General Kenobi when we got there, but he managed to kill it. Only, that one was about four meters tall, while this one here doesn't even reach my h.i.p.s.”

”Maybe it's still young. Still, it's as deadly as the bigger ones. And look at the scars it has. I bet you the Geonosians also trained this one, only it hunts clones instead of fighting in an arena.”

Looking closely, Dageer realized Tech was right. Several scars, of all sizes, covered the Acklay. It had been trained to be deadly and savage. But his thoughts were suddenly interrupted when the lights went out without any prior warning.

All the clones there were had seen too much to believe in coincidences, so they immediately lowered their night vision devices, which made everything acquire a shade of green.

”Brain, what is your status?”

”Nothing down here yet, commander. But we heard a lot of fighting up there. What happened?”

”We killed one of the creatures. They are called Acklays. Unfortunately, they got Combo. What about the lights?”

”I was about to ask you if I should send someone to fix the power, sir.”

”No. There is one of those things still here, and it is smart enough to mess with the power panel. If you go there you are only gonna find cut cables. Keep searching, and be extra careful. We will do the same here.”

”Understood. Good hunting, sir.”

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