“Hey, Captain. You think this is a good idea?”

“We have our orders.”

In military speak this was a bad idea.

“No one has returned from this area.”

“That's not true. Plenty of people have returned from the tree.”

“No one friendly to us.”

“You are dangerously close to insubordination soldier.”

“Yes sir.”

“The egg heads back at base think those idiots are holding out on us. They have something in there that’s helping to fight off these monster attacks. And they aren’t sharing.”

“That’s positively unamerican sir.”

“Damn right it is.”

There was a slight rustle of clothing as the group moved closer to the tree. The tree towered over the surrounding area. You could see it for miles all around. The group walked in single file. They had a soldier in front with sword and board. An archer was second in line. The captain was in the middle. Another soldier with sword and board was behind the captain. Another archer brought up the rear.

The column walked in silence for a time. The terrain was gently rolling hills with shrub and grass growing. The area was known for its wheat fields in the before times. Now there was a rapidly growing forest expanding out from the tree. The tree was affecting everything in its domain.

Zip thunk

Zip thunk

“Archers in the front.”

The lead tank threw up a barrier.

Thonk thonk thonk.

“Ambush.”

“Fuck.”

“I don’t see them.”

“There in the grass. To the left. Two little green fuckers.”

The two archers in the column moved forward and began firing.

“Suppressing fire.”

The captain's hands began to glow. “Lightning burst.”

The trailing tank moved up next to the captain to make sure no one went after the squishy.

Zip thunk

“Shit, more little fuckers on the right.”

“There’s a big one in the back.”

Fizzzzzzzz

“Shit, something’s jamming my spells.”

“Typical”

“Archers. Focus fire left. Tanks front right.”

“Aiiiiiiiieeeeeee.”

“Oh shit. A sneaky fuck got the captain.”

“Fall back.”

“Grab the cap. We can’t go back without him.”

“BAGA NOOG. BAGA NOOG. BAGA NOOG.”

“The fuck was that shit.”

“Hurry it up.”

“Aw shit.”

Skeerrbooom.

The entire group was wiped out. The only witnesses a handful of little green men and an ant. No one knew the ant was there.