______

I like my job.
 stacking crates
 is mind-numbing
 and no work to take home,
 on moon base quarry 3.
 ______

they took in the strays,
 everything seems okay
 until they got hungry.
 ______

perhaps I should tell you
 the end first;
 we held out for 4 days:
 me, a marine and a couple
 of civilians;
 we secured a small patrol craft
 and went to try to save a few more.
 ______

I learned about tactics,
 firing a phase-plasma rifle
 and even how to bite
 in defense.
 ______

the last cluster
 fought with actual weapons
 MP5s, knives and laser pistols;
 one got close and in went a blade
 but I didn't feel it
 and took out her neck
 with a bite.
 ______

we radioed moon base quarry 2:

"we are strays from the other base
 and we are low on food", I said.

"Hurry in dock 4-C as there's trouble
 about these lanes of space"
 said the base

I grinned and dripped fluid
 from my smiling face.
 _______