The operators were scanning data on the oncoming bio-signatures, as well as the approaching energy signature from above while Daniel and Anya argued between themselves.<br/><br/>"The base is currently nearly empty of personnel.  Most of the people here were still at the excavation site near the ruins when that flare hit and communications went out.  We did have a small marine contingent here, but they were resting in the barrack that got flattened by that crashing shuttle a while back.  As it stand, all survivors of this base are currently in this building.  As for the liftoff functions, one of the thrusters is slightly damaged, but not enough to prevent liftoff.  We couldn't get very high, and certainly couldn't move with enough speed to get clear of the blast zone created when that things falls down here.  After some analysis, I now place the energy potential of that thing near 15 megatons.  The lethal zone will be well over 10 kilometers, and the EMP released will certainly fry all the systems in this command center."<br/><br/>The operator didn't address his words to anyone in particular, his hands flying over the keyboard as he performed calculations.<br/><br/>"I can't be certain, but from the sensor silhouettes, it seems the bio-signatures are mostly a mass of smaller lifesigns, with a few larger ones interspersed in between.  The only vessels left which might have survived the flare intact would be at the excavation site.  The landing area there is well underground, it's possible some of the shuttles there survived the blast if they weren't in use at the moment it hit."<br/><br/>Sergeant Ramirez was just turning towards the conversationalists, when the intercom crackled to life.  One of the marines near the entrance reported in matter-of-factly.  "Sergeant, we have contact.  The perimeter defences have engaged the xenos.  For the time being, it seems it's mostly just those small crawlers and hoppers, and the chainguns and flamethrowers are chewing them to pieces.  But I can see some larger lifeforms closing in from the rear, as well as some rolling-boulder like things which blow up real spectacular when the turrets light them up.  Might be bad if too many of those got close, though."<br/><br/>The operator confirmed the marine's report, putting a visual to the main screen from one of the observation cameras outside.  Waves of smaller zerg organisms were throwing themselves against the hails of bullets and gouts of flame from the perimeter defences.  For now, the tide seemed to be contained, but occasionally some zerg would get fairly close to the breaches in the walls where there were gaps in the perimeter defences.