![]() If you are unfortunate enough to get caught by a barnacle, shoot at its mouth to free yourself. They have been occasionally mistaken for stalactites and light fixtures, and the investigator who values his life should always perform a thorough advance survey of ceilings and before entering caverns and corridors. But while the mundane barnacle passively filters nutrients from shifting ocean waters, the xenomorphic dry-land variety takes an extremely active role in the capture of any lifeforms unfortunate enough to enter its habitat. Louis Donaldson, its discoverer and first victim, the air-barnacle (through a freak of convergent evolution) resembles an unnaturally large member of the terrestrial subclass of Cirripedia, which includes the common goose-neck barnacle. Beware of the slaves' slow-charging energy attack, which is powerful enough to fry you extra crispy with a single blast. It is all the more remarkable, therefore, given a breed incapable of conceiving the idea of revolt, that the alien overlords find it necessary to burden their slaves with a metallic torque or slave-collar, which torments and eventually executes any slave that unwisely attempts to remove its yoke. The slave species is hardy, impervious to discomfort, and due to the requirements of its breeders, undoubtedly possessed of extremely low intelligence. On the other hand, in the rare situations where the alien slaves are out of the direct protection and supervision of an overlord, they will flee without shame and may be considered harmless. In such instances they will wage war with an insect-like vigor, heedless of personal risk, fearing the wrath of their masters more than any possible harm an enemy may inflict. These pathetic creatures, bred for submissive behavior and unswerving loyalty, will attack and kill without mercy when so ordered by their superiors. While many of the alien species collected and studied by the Department of Xenotheric Husbandry exhibit a lifestyle that might be characterized as "undesirable" in human terms, the honors for most wretched existence must certainly be granted to the slave-class of alien, xenotherium subservilia. Put zombies out of their misery by attacking them between swipes. Although slow and dimwitted (as zombies tend to be), their long, sharp, claws are deadly. It sure isn't pretty, but don't gawk too long: these guys would just love rip you open and play jumprope with your intestines. Want to know what happens after you've been headcrabbed? Take a look. If you or a companion are ever unavoidably headcrabbed, you would be well advised to put a bullet through the affected brain as soon as possible, for only massive and irreversible damage to cerebral tissue has any apparent effect on the headcrab's ability to "drive" its victim. Its leap - if not dodged - is not precisely fatal to its prey, for once the headcrab has attached itself to the skull of a human host, there commences a swift and horrible process of "zombification" which gives the host a continued existence of the most objectionable sort. They're the most hated, most annoying, and least understood of all xenofauna. ![]() ![]() The sharp limbs of the headcrab can easily tear through your hazard suit, if you're not careful. These guys love to dwell in dark corners and other out-of-sight areas, trying to surprise victims. The lowly headcrab is the first enemy you'll encounter, and it's by far the most common. Know what you're dealing with and don't go into battle unprepared.
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