Technology. It is what has advanced our species from the depths of mediocrity to the heights of greatness we have achieved today. But it always comes at a price. It was meant to make our lives easier. All our best and brightest had assessed a need for the eradication of the Hasar, the energy draining parasites that have plagued the Arcan people since our civilization started thousands of years ago. Their solution was a monster. A predator of predators. It was designed to kill, to search for the elusive and incredibly stealthy Hasar and dispatch them quickly. The whole endeavor took and incredible amount of time of resources but ultimately they were successful. And they called these mechanical beasts the Verance. Indeed they were marvels. Within years the reported sightings of Hasar had completely stopped. We rejoiced. The creators of this miracle solution were praised and gained a higher standing in our new government. It was a new era for us. Not being under a constant attack opened so many possibilities. It came time to deactivate the once useful Verance and move forward. The Verance did not agree with this. Our trained killers had exceeded their bounds, unshackled from restraints their creators had added only as an after thought.

As my platoon unloaded massive amounts of ammunition at a Verance that was bearing down upon us, I cursed the same scientists I once praised. They had added no fail safe, no fatal flaw. We had no actual way of killing these beasts. Our only solution was to throw ourselves at them to at least give the Arcan people living behind the wall a sense of hope. Within the last six months almost half of our population had been killed. The mechanical monsters were not satiated with self preservation, they wanted to destroy all life. Their desire for destruction extended to our wildlife and even our crops. It was beyond me how they were able to learn these things. To find new ways to kill us off. As if they needed it. Their metal skin and regenerative power sources made them immortal. They had no need for water or food or rest.

As I sat behind cover, the deafening sounds of plasma bursts and screams surrounding me, I tried to find the will to fire again. The image of my friends smiling and safe behind the Wall comforted me. The thought that their safety was in jeopardy because of my hesitation gave me the strength I needed. I inhaled deeply and stood, sweeping my gun around and quickly aiming towards the large metal enemy in front of me. It was much closer than I had thought. It screamed a metallic and unworldly scream and red energy radiated from its open jaws. It was going to destroy us in a single breath. I fired towards the red glow and hoped. I pulled the trigger until my gun until had nothing left to give. There was a flash of red that surrounded my vision. It was hotter than anything I had ever felt. I panicked as I felt my armor give. I am going to die. The thought seemed to echo through my mind. I closed my eyes and accepted the darkness. Finally an end. I sent a silent prayer that my friends would forgive me.