2. They came in thousands

Scavenging anything that can be saved, the survivors left the wrecked cruiser as they explored the forest in 3 companies being apart by a kilometer from each other.

Zhang li Zhao is captain of A company. Captain Alester, Tobio and the injured lieutenant commander Alois are a part of B Company while Ivar takes C company.

Heading to the wreckage of another cruiser. They found the survivors were nowhere to be seen, traces being only the bloodstains of what they would guess as a surprise attack from the unknown creatures to those unlucky to have survived the impact.

C company, led by Ivar played the gamble and chose to search for resources in the destroyed cruiser.

"Come on! My ancestors won't be proud of me if I come back empty handed!" He shouted as him and his company entered through a hold at the hull.

...

"I'm surprised Ivar could live this long with that idea of his ancestors." Alester wanted to know more about him. Being the newest captain of the remaining 4, she didn't know her comrades that well.

"He's from an old legacy of vikings I heard, Norwegian of the 900s or something." Alois said as he is being treated for his wounds.

"[Hows the lieutenant you two?]" Zhang li asked through the radio, she is the furthest from the group being the line of defense against any attackers.

"Getting better"

###

After what seems to be 2 hours, Ivar and his company came out almost unscathed, bringing everything they can hold onto as they decided the resources between the companies.

"All companies get ready, the bugs are coming." Zhang li said maliciously through the radio as everyone near the cruiser started to scramble to a defensive spot.

B company climbed the wrecked cruiser as their defensive vantage point while A gradually backed closer to it as well as C.

"Zhao, how many are there?"

"More than I could count, millions if possible."

Hearing this sent the whole battalion shivers but not frozen, many could think worse outcomes than this.

"Movements South East!" A soldier of B company shouted when he saw the leafs of the trees nearby started to move violently and what seemed like birds flying away from the spot.

"They're coming at your side of the defence, Ivar!" Tobio shouted at the radio which got Ivar's attention and ordered his company to aim at the pinpointed location.

"Fire!"

In sync, the C company fires a barrage of blaster bolts as well as a shot from a mobile railgun they found from the cruiser. They could hear loads of alien like screeching cries as they were killed one by one by the blaster bolts.

*BOOM!!

The railgun hits its target as A company could see the smoke and the neon blue blaster bolts ricochet some of the alien bugs.

Alester shouts downwards towards him, "Ai Ivar, your shots aren't penetrating those suckers!" she expected these invaders would have at least heavy armoured bugs but didn't think there would be so many.

Hearing her, Ivar knew they would die if he didn't react faster. Looking behind him, he grins for a new idea.

"Men, in the cruiser. Now!"

They did not hesitate to deny his command, it was better than to be ripped apart now. Quickly the fastest of the many scramble to enter the wrecked cruiser while those willingly staying behind held their ground to their last.

"That man really is playing with fire huh?" Zhang li chuckled at the situation, "What are you waiting for? Let's get as far as possible before those critters get close!"

She shouted as they started to vanish into the dense forest cover. "You're on your own you four, good luck"

...

Staying above the cruiser, B with their whole company still alive awaits for the other invaders to leave. "Has Ivar said anything?" Tobio is concerned about the battalion's powers.

"No captain, it's been 5 minutes."

Looking below, they could see the creatures have at least 4 legs and a body mostly dominated by the jaw. Like Alester thought, mostly a mass-produced bug meant for large scale invasions.

An hour passed and the bugs soon left, everyone thought the company died but was dumbfounded seeing that Ivar survived with half of his company still alive.

"Ivar, how was the fight?" Tobio asks how he seemed happy.

"Let's just say I am satisfied and my people as well."

[How are the 4 of you? The bugs are leaving the forest so take your time]

"Good to hear that Zhang li, we'll take the time we have"

###

"So what did you learn from that attack Ivar?" Tobio asks, wanting to know more.

"They're weak against close quarters combat, seems like they evolved to fight against our blaster bolts but their body is like an armour. There are some weak points for the blasters to hit." He explained, bandaging his body.

Towing the railgun at the only truck available, they were ready to go on a move after at least an hour of rest.

A: 200

B: 162

C: 129