"We have successfully driven the main xenos concentrations onto the plateau in Murder Star's northern hemisphere and confined them there. It appears to be their last and largest gathering ground for surface nests."
Loken's voice rang out before the holographic tactical table in the temporary command center, steady but edged with cold caution.
His fingertip swept across the rugged region highlighted in glaring red on the floating map, its complex terrain crisscrossed with ravines.
"Orbital scans and data transmitted by reconnaissance squads at tremendous cost indicate an exceptionally high density of biological signatures in that region, covering almost the entire plateau."
He paused briefly and brought up another overlapping layer, marked with deep brown and dark red veins.
The lines, representing subterranean cavities and anomalous energy readings, plunged deep beneath the plateau's icon and spread farther down and outward.
"But the threat extends beyond the surface. Our scans show an enormous, complex network of natural caverns and artificially excavated tunnels beneath Murder Star's crust."
"Thermal analysis indicates that an incalculable number of Giant Spider units are lurking in these underground labyrinths. Our current ground operations may have merely scratched the surface of their true strength."
The air in the command center grew still. Only the low operational hum of the Cogitators remained.
The hologram's light reflected off Loken's pearl-white pauldrons and illuminated the grim faces of Tarvitz, Eidolon, and the others gathered around the table.
Tarvitz stepped forward, his purple armor looking as hard as iron and stone in the shifting light.
He brought up a series of combat records and scrolling real-time biological analysis data. On the charts, the curves representing the Giant Spiders' average size, carapace hardness, acid potency, and observed special attack patterns had risen with terrifying, near-vertical steepness over less than one standard Terran month.
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