NUC 3 Air Corp

[greenbtree]

"Good afternoon women, at ease, smoke them if you got them.  At 14:20 hours today our hive came under attack. The enemy attempted a diversion, inserting a delicious, cidery, sugary, sprinkled with wonderful pollen... eh-hem, excuse me, I was momentarily distracted.  As I meant to state, a diversion was attempted in top hive, and was followed by a general movement of the entire hive at 14:30.  Eyewitnesses state that the defensive screens of nearby colonies are being ripped off the entrance of the hives, to be replaced by odd metal barriers, by a hideous beast."
"Other colonies may choose not to defend themselves, but we here at NUC 3 understand that only through vigorous defense of our hive can we hope to survive.  If our defensive screen comes under attack, we WILL defend ourselves.  Sisters, I need volunteers for a desperate defensive mission.  It is 25 degrees outside, those who choose to take on this mission will not survive to return to the hive.  Most of you will not even reach the target.  But desperate times call for desperate measures.  Who can I count on to make the ultimate sacrifice?"
....
Marge raised an antenna, signalling acceptance of the mission. A fiery emotion swept through her, at the thought of defending her hive.  Various of her sisters surged forward to also volunteer.  Marge's heart swelled with pride to see the valor of her hivemates. The volunteers eagerly moved to the cold edge of the defensive screen.

There it was! Hideous, huge, ripping away their protective screen. Marge and her sisters launched.  Cold! So cold!  Only the fire in her heart kept Marge on course.  Other members of the flight started dropping down, losing power, to crash into the white, cruelly cold snow, curling in death.  Marge focused all of her will on reaching her target before the bitter cold claimed her.  Marge saw her sister Mildred land on the beasts leg, only to be brushed aside as easily as Marge would fling a gnat from the edge of the hive landing area. Another of her sisters landed on the beast's body, but seemed unable to penetrate its thick strange hide.  Marge made straight for the monster's huge head, vision closing down as she lost strength.  There! The eye, white, gray, wet, awful, there was her target!  She hit hard on the skin near the horrible eye, clinging desperately.  The eye was suddenly covered by sheets of skin (Marge has a brief moment to think, how odd is that (?) before her mind refocused on her task.) but it was too late for the beast, Marge plunged her stinger deep into the soft flesh.  The monster hurled backward, and its huge paw loomed, striking Marge a huge crushing blow. As Marge's awareness faded, all she felt was satisfaction.  She had accomplished her task.  Her hive and home was defended.  All went black.
...
"Sisters, the monster has retreated.  One of our valiant sisters must have accomplished her task.  Let us continue our efforts to protect and advance NUC 3 in the same spirit as our brave lost sisters.  Their  sacrifice was not in vain.  All hail NUC 3!"