"Doctor!" the lieutenant said with a salute "We need to take off shortly, is there anything else you need us to secure?"

"Yes" Doctor Vigh said as he glanced at the data-pad "Make sure that this last crate is onboard and secured, then you can take off. We need to get these specimens to the Imperial research facility on Nubia without delay!"

"Yes Sir! Right away Sir!" the lieutenant said and went back to work.

Doctor Vigh was the chief scientist of the GeneTech Syndicate, a freelance research and development team that specialized in radical, and often dangerous, biological projects.

A thin man dressed in typical research gear and holding a data-pad approached Doctor Vigh.

"Doctor, we have loaded all the adolescents. They seem to be sufficiently hibernated for the journey, but shouldn't we have used carbon-freezing instead? It would have been much more secure."

"No, absolutely not!" Doctor Vigh said "Carbon freezing could jeopardize the future evolution and DNA stability."

"As you wish" said the scientist with a sigh "I'll go get ready for departure." He jumped into the transport ship and Doctor Vigh headed back inside the complex.

The ship was nearly ready for takeoff, but since its mission was critical, the staff was making a thorough check of all the containment and restraining systems. Inside the cargo hold, the inspector tugged on the bindings to ensure that the last crate was secure. He checked off the list and confirmed that everything was ready for transport. Putting the data-pad under his arm, he walked to the door where the guard was stationed and motioned for it to be secured and the containment field activated.

The lights in the cargo bay switched to a dim red in preparation for takeoff. The ship vibrated as the engines came to life, and the rumble could be felt across the compartment. This caused a small shift in the weight of the crates as something inside was startled. A restraining bolt on the backmost crate broke free-- allowing the side of the crate to fall open. Quickly, something scurried out into the shadowy recesses of the cargo bay.

Over the intercom the captain's voice could be heard... "Commencing liftoff. Everyone secure yourself."

The engines vibrated more as the ship started to take off. Once again the captain's voice came over the intercom...

"Elaine, check the transfer rate in the power couplings, it sounds a little off."

"Right away, captain!" she replied and headed back towards the engine compartment. "Sir, there is something sticky back here…."

Seconds later, there was a loud explosion that reverberated across the ship.

"We're losing altitude fast!" cried the captain on the intercom "Everyone get secured and in crash positions. Engineering, activate the auto suppression system.... hold on, we're going down!"

Shortly after, the ship crashed into a ravine several kilometers from Nashal.

When the emergency lighting came on, the captain had the crew members that were able to do so remove the injured. There were a few casualties, but it seemed restricted to those in the engine compartment. While the crew was moving the scientist and others that were injured away from the crash, the containment alarm went off.

"Get everyone off the ship!" the captain hollered.

Three guards acknowledged him and ran onboard the ship. Several minutes later, two of the men came off with three injured crew.

"Where is the other?" the captain asked.

"Sir, the arachne got out…he didn't make it. The containment field is totally gone and most of them have broken free."

The scientist that the lieutenant was aiding looked up at the captain. "Captain, we need to get back in there and stop the arachne from escaping. If they get out there is no telling what repercussions there could be."

"Ok Lieutenant, gather up the rest of the survivors and have them prepare to head back to Nashal. I'll take some of the uninjured and see if we can take care of this mess!" The captain un-holstered his blaster and motioned for the other guard and one crewman to follow him back into the wreckage.

After the lieutenant gathered up the others and explained the situation, they started to pack up for the long trek back to Nashal......

All of a sudden, screams and blaster fire could be heard coming from inside the ship! Instinctively, the lieutenant quickly got the rest of the survivors moving. Their only option was to get to Nashal as fast as possible.

As the survivors rushed off to Nashal, there was activity at the crash site.

Slowly, spindly-pointed legs protruded from the doorway, pausing as if monitoring their situation. With a sense of purpose, the arachne started creeping away from the wreckage....

Check out the latest chapter of the Legacy Quest to embark on your own adventure. Find out the mystery of the creatures and what lies ahead… To do so visit CorSec Agent Taarna in Nashal.