ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel The Infographics Show I Survived 400 Days of THE INVASION (NOT Minecraft)
We had been warned that landing wouldn’t be easy. The Air Force technician who secured me in my seat had downplayed the difficulty. As our hybrid human-alien tech stealth vehicle fired its retro boosters, I felt a jolt that nearly knocked my teeth out. It felt like a heavy impact, and I worried that our craft might break apart during our hypersonic flight.
There was no pilot, only an AI controlling the craft. Major Hulbruck, myself, Wood, Courchaine, and Angelos were strapped into our seats, which swiveled a bit too late to help absorb the sudden deceleration. I made a mental note to discuss this issue with the Air Force technicians if we survived the landing. I realized we had never been informed about how the craft would land. I had assumed it would glide down like a space shuttle, but I was mistaken when the craft suddenly pitched nose-first toward the ground.
If there had been a window, I would have seen the sky above and the alien fleet in orbit. But the craft had no windows, and the AI wasn’t programmed to provide updates on our descent—another quality-of-life feature I planned to address later.
We were jolted in our seats as two massive parachutes deployed, abruptly slowing our descent. Moments later, the craft’s nose hit the ground at an angle, causing the body to slam down, nearly making me bite my tongue. I realized I hadn’t put in the mouth guard recommended by the technician who strapped me into this vehicle.
The hatch we entered through suddenly blew open, letting sunlight flood in and momentarily blinding us. Our restraints snapped back into place, and I was disoriented, checking my tongue to ensure I hadn’t bitten it. The Major was already on his feet, urging us to exit the craft.
I grabbed my gear: rifle, backpack, and duffel bag filled with supplies for the mission ahead. I had no idea where we had landed, but the sun was high above us, which was a good sign. The aliens had evolved on a low-light planet and preferred the dark, so we needed to be cautious. We quickly moved behind some nearby rubble, rifles ready, scanning for danger.
“Not far enough, get further back and behind cover!” Major Hulbruck shouted as he ran past us. I didn’t need to be told twice; if the Major was running, we followed him to a ruined building 50 meters away, where he motioned for us to take cover behind a concrete wall.
“…twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven—get down!” The Major ducked, and moments later, our craft exploded. Charges detonated in rapid succession, ensuring the aliens would find nothing useful in the wreckage.
“Well, there goes our only ride home,” Wood said with a half-smile, trying to lighten the mood. We all knew the craft was a one-way trip, designed for a small squad to infiltrate deep behind enemy lines. Our mission was top secret, briefed only hours before we boarded the craft. We were losing the war, and the world needed a victory to rally around.
We were tasked with taking back the capital of the United States—not directly, but to gather intelligence and neutralize the local breeding facilities where the aliens cloned their soldiers. We needed to make contact with local resistance, and despite limited communication, we had been promised there was one.
The only way we were going home was if the US Army liberated Washington D.C. But unless the Major was withholding details, I had no idea how we would find the resistance. The aliens had a habit of eliminating military-aged humans in occupied territories, or worse—they could absorb their memories to enhance their own soldiers.
I had always been a West Coast kid, only seeing the capital on TV or in movies, so I was unfamiliar with our landing site. The devastation around us was overwhelming until we cleared what appeared to be rows of apartments and finally spotted the Washington Monument in the distance, surprisingly intact. From that, we deduced we had landed in the south of the city, across the river in Alexandria.
The city had seen fierce fighting, with the US Army and Marines making the invaders pay dearly for every block they took. The siege had lasted six months, but the aliens’ superior weapons had ultimately won. Civilians had fled Washington, but many chose to stay and fight as militias. Intelligence estimated the aliens had deployed around a million and a half soldiers for the Washington campaign, losing about 1.2 million in the process.
As we navigated through the wreckage, Wood signaled for us to stop, and we froze. He gestured to the left, and we ducked behind cover.
“Well, whoever you are, you’re not aliens, that’s for sure,” a voice called from ahead. I powered up my rifle’s thermal sight but couldn’t see anything. Suddenly, part of the wall seemed to fall away—it was a camo blanket, expertly hiding several soldiers.
“Sergeant First Class Jackson, pleasure to meet visitors. I take it that was you falling out of the sky?” he said, grinning as he approached us.
Major Hulbruck introduced himself and shook Jackson’s hand instead of saluting. “That was us, Sergeant. We’re on a mission, and I’m guessing you’re exactly who we were hoping to find.”
“Hell, with all that noise you made, you’re lucky we found you and not the dogs,” Jackson replied.
“Dogs?” Courchaine asked, his machine gun held at the ready.
“Come on, let us help with your gear. The aliens don’t like the daylight much, but it’s still not safe. We’ll explain once we get underground.”
Miles of underground tunnels crisscrossed Washington D.C., a relic of Cold War paranoia. Every major government building had access points, with hidden exits in surrounding structures. It was the perfect home for a resistance movement, and the occupying alien forces struggled to locate the network.
Eventually, Jackson led us to a makeshift command bunker, complete with video feeds from covertly placed cameras around the city. A short woman in camo with a Navy tag approached us.
“Lieutenant Mason, commanding officer of SEAL Team 3—or what’s left of it. Now, in charge of this,” she said, shaking our hands.
“It’s good to see some outside faces for a change. Now tell me, how’s the war going—and what are you doing in my area of responsibility?”
Hulbruck nodded toward an adjoining office, understanding that the last thing these soldiers needed was to hear about our struggles.
“It’s not going well. We’re in slow retreat on all fronts,” he replied.
Mason let out a low whistle. “I was afraid you’d say that. Last comms I had were with Twelve Corps, up by the Canadian border. Must’ve been two months ago now; can’t risk long-range communications—the aliens have gotten good at sniffing those out.”
From what we gathered, the aliens had never invaded an industrialized planet before. This was their first mechanized war, and they were learning quickly.
Mason listened as Hulbruck detailed our prior operation in South Dakota, explaining how we had infiltrated their breeding facilities.
“Do you think they’ve caught on to that sewer trick?” Mason asked.
“Impossible to know,” Hulbruck replied. “They’re slow learners, and even slower to share information. Either way, those security turrets up top are deadly.”
Mason considered this and pulled out her own data slate, looking at a map of the city’s underground utilities.
“We’ve got multiple sewer tunnels that run right under their facilities. If they have to discharge waste, it makes sense they’d use the existing infrastructure. I can provide topside teams for distraction.”
Hulbruck nodded, pleased. “Excellent. My team will lead the assault since we know the layout.”
“No, first we hit this,” Mason said, pointing at a large facility on her map. “It’s a major garrison that’s made it difficult to coordinate forces between the north and south sides of the city. The sewer line runs right under it; they’ll never expect an attack from inside.”
Hulbruck shook his head. “Negative. My mission takes priority. We take out the breeding facility first, then work on harassing local garrisons.”
Mason’s voice turned icy. “I’ve been in command here for the last five months. I don’t care what SecDef or anyone else says. I know this fight, and I remain in command of my men.”
Hulbruck didn’t flinch. “Are you refusing a direct order, Lieutenant Mason?”
Mason stood her ground. “You will have our assistance on your objective. After our successful operation.”
The silence was tense, and finally, Hulbruck nodded. “Very well, Lieutenant. We will assist with our knowledge of alien facilities.”
The Major was furious, but we focused on briefing her men about everything we knew. The plan wasn’t great, but the resistance hadn’t had many opportunities for solid plans in recent months.
We moved through the maintenance tunnel, which ran alongside the sewer, avoiding the worst of the smell. The darkness ahead was filled with uncertainty.
Wood, leading our group, signaled for us to stop. Up ahead, we saw the other team investigating something on the roof. They discovered an access point to the sewers, and to our surprise, there were no guards.
One of the soldiers got to work on the hatch, using a special compound to breach it. The paste burned white hot, melting through the seams and lighting up the tunnel. We shielded our eyes from the brightness.
Once the hatch was breached, we entered the facility, greeted by the same metallic architecture we had seen before. The hallway split into intersections, and we set up security at each point.
Our mission was simple: find a power source, set explosives, and warn everyone else to evacuate. We were to kill every alien we encountered.
As we moved deeper into the facility, a door opened, and two alien creatures emerged. One of our soldiers opened fire, and chaos erupted.
“Hey! Watch your fire!” Courchaine warned, but it was too late.
More aliens rushed out, and we fought back, using our training to adapt to the situation.
“Back. It’s over!” Hulbruck commanded, his rifle moving with precision.
We fell back in groups, covering each other as we retreated. The aliens were relentless, and we needed to regroup.
I pulled a smoke grenade and rolled it into the hallway, creating a thick cloud to obscure visibility. We ran for the T intersection, but I was dragging a wounded soldier with me.
“Leave him! You have to leave him!” the Major urged.
“No, I’m not leaving anyone behind!” I protested.
But as I looked at the soldier, I realized he was beyond saving.
“Get your act together,” Hulbruck said firmly. “It’s time to move.”
I nodded and ran for the access hatch, the sounds of the aliens growing closer.
We jumped into the underground, and I scanned the dark for the rest of our team.
Finally, we regrouped, and we knew we had to keep moving.
Check out the start of this extraterrestrial adventure with “I Survived 100 Days of THE INVASION,” or watch this video instead!
Review the landing sequence described in the article. Create a diagram that illustrates the steps involved in the landing process of the hybrid human-alien tech stealth vehicle. Consider the roles of AI, parachutes, and the impact on the crew. Present your diagram to the class and explain the potential improvements you would suggest for future missions.
Divide into groups and role-play the mission briefing scene. Assign roles such as Major Hulbruck, Sergeant First Class Jackson, and Lieutenant Mason. Discuss the strategic decisions made during the briefing and debate the priorities of the mission. Reflect on how leadership and communication affect mission outcomes.
Based on the challenges faced by the characters, develop a survival guide for future missions in alien-occupied territories. Include sections on landing procedures, finding cover, making contact with local resistance, and navigating underground networks. Share your guide with the class and discuss its practicality.
Using the information about the underground network and the city layout, design a tactical map that the resistance could use for planning assaults. Highlight key locations such as breeding facilities, garrisons, and potential escape routes. Present your map and explain how it could aid in strategic planning.
Engage in a debate about the ethical dilemmas faced by the characters, such as leaving a wounded soldier behind or prioritizing certain missions over others. Discuss the moral implications of these decisions and how they impact the overall mission. Reflect on how these dilemmas relate to real-world military ethics.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
—
We’d been warned the landing wouldn’t be easy. The Air Force technician who secured me in my seat had downplayed it. As our hybrid human-alien tech stealth vehicle fired its retro boosters, I felt a jolt that nearly knocked my teeth out. It felt like a heavy impact, and I worried that our craft might break apart during our hypersonic flight.
There was no pilot, only an AI controlling the craft. Major Hulbruck, myself, Wood, Courchaine, and Angelos were strapped into our seats, which swiveled a bit too late to help absorb the sudden deceleration. I made a mental note to discuss this issue with the Air Force technicians if we survived the landing. I realized we had never been informed about how the craft would land. I had assumed it would glide down like a space shuttle, but I was mistaken when the craft suddenly pitched nose-first toward the ground.
If there had been a window, I would have seen the sky above and the alien fleet in orbit. But the craft had no windows, and the AI wasn’t programmed to provide updates on our descent—another quality-of-life feature I planned to address later.
We were jolted in our seats as two massive parachutes deployed, abruptly slowing our descent. Moments later, the craft’s nose hit the ground at an angle, causing the body to slam down, nearly making me bite my tongue. I realized I hadn’t put in the mouth guard recommended by the technician who strapped me into this vehicle.
The hatch we entered through suddenly blew open, letting sunlight flood in and momentarily blinding us. Our restraints snapped back into place, and I was disoriented, checking my tongue to ensure I hadn’t bitten it. The Major was already on his feet, urging us to exit the craft.
I grabbed my gear: rifle, backpack, and duffel bag filled with supplies for the mission ahead. I had no idea where we had landed, but the sun was high above us, which was a good sign. The aliens had evolved on a low-light planet and preferred the dark, so we needed to be cautious. We quickly moved behind some nearby rubble, rifles ready, scanning for danger.
“Not far enough, get further back and behind cover!” Major Hulbruck shouted as he ran past us. I didn’t need to be told twice; if the Major was running, we followed him to a ruined building 50 meters away, where he motioned for us to take cover behind a concrete wall.
“…twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven—get down!” The Major ducked, and moments later, our craft exploded. Charges detonated in rapid succession, ensuring the aliens would find nothing useful in the wreckage.
“Well, there goes our only ride home,” Wood said with a half-smile, trying to lighten the mood. We all knew the craft was a one-way trip, designed for a small squad to infiltrate deep behind enemy lines. Our mission was top secret, briefed only hours before we boarded the craft. We were losing the war, and the world needed a victory to rally around.
We were tasked with taking back the capital of the United States—not directly, but to gather intelligence and neutralize the local breeding facilities where the aliens cloned their soldiers. We needed to make contact with local resistance, and despite limited communication, we had been promised there was one.
The only way we were going home was if the US Army liberated Washington D.C. But unless the Major was withholding details, I had no idea how we would find the resistance. The aliens had a habit of eliminating military-aged humans in occupied territories, or worse—they could absorb their memories to enhance their own soldiers.
I had always been a West Coast kid, only seeing the capital on TV or in movies, so I was unfamiliar with our landing site. The devastation around us was overwhelming until we cleared what appeared to be rows of apartments and finally spotted the Washington Monument in the distance, surprisingly intact. From that, we deduced we had landed in the south of the city, across the river in Alexandria.
The city had seen fierce fighting, with the US Army and Marines making the invaders pay dearly for every block they took. The siege had lasted six months, but the aliens’ superior weapons had ultimately won. Civilians had fled Washington, but many chose to stay and fight as militias. Intelligence estimated the aliens had deployed around a million and a half soldiers for the Washington campaign, losing about 1.2 million in the process.
As we navigated through the wreckage, Wood signaled for us to stop, and we froze. He gestured to the left, and we ducked behind cover.
“Well, whoever you are, you’re not aliens, that’s for sure,” a voice called from ahead. I powered up my rifle’s thermal sight but couldn’t see anything. Suddenly, part of the wall seemed to fall away—it was a camo blanket, expertly hiding several soldiers.
“Sergeant First Class Jackson, pleasure to meet visitors. I take it that was you falling out of the sky?” he said, grinning as he approached us.
Major Hulbruck introduced himself and shook Jackson’s hand instead of saluting. “That was us, Sergeant. We’re on a mission, and I’m guessing you’re exactly who we were hoping to find.”
“Hell, with all that noise you made, you’re lucky we found you and not the dogs,” Jackson replied.
“Dogs?” Courchaine asked, his machine gun held at the ready.
“Come on, let us help with your gear. The aliens don’t like the daylight much, but it’s still not safe. We’ll explain once we get underground.”
Miles of underground tunnels crisscrossed Washington D.C., a relic of Cold War paranoia. Every major government building had access points, with hidden exits in surrounding structures. It was the perfect home for a resistance movement, and the occupying alien forces struggled to locate the network.
Eventually, Jackson led us to a makeshift command bunker, complete with video feeds from covertly placed cameras around the city. A short woman in camo with a Navy tag approached us.
“Lieutenant Mason, commanding officer of SEAL Team 3—or what’s left of it. Now, in charge of this,” she said, shaking our hands.
“It’s good to see some outside faces for a change. Now tell me, how’s the war going—and what are you doing in my area of responsibility?”
Hulbruck nodded toward an adjoining office, understanding that the last thing these soldiers needed was to hear about our struggles.
“It’s not going well. We’re in slow retreat on all fronts,” he replied.
Mason let out a low whistle. “I was afraid you’d say that. Last comms I had were with Twelve Corps, up by the Canadian border. Must’ve been two months ago now; can’t risk long-range communications—the aliens have gotten good at sniffing those out.”
From what we gathered, the aliens had never invaded an industrialized planet before. This was their first mechanized war, and they were learning quickly.
Mason listened as Hulbruck detailed our prior operation in South Dakota, explaining how we had infiltrated their breeding facilities.
“Do you think they’ve caught on to that sewer trick?” Mason asked.
“Impossible to know,” Hulbruck replied. “They’re slow learners, and even slower to share information. Either way, those security turrets up top are deadly.”
Mason considered this and pulled out her own data slate, looking at a map of the city’s underground utilities.
“We’ve got multiple sewer tunnels that run right under their facilities. If they have to discharge waste, it makes sense they’d use the existing infrastructure. I can provide topside teams for distraction.”
Hulbruck nodded, pleased. “Excellent. My team will lead the assault since we know the layout.”
“No, first we hit this,” Mason said, pointing at a large facility on her map. “It’s a major garrison that’s made it difficult to coordinate forces between the north and south sides of the city. The sewer line runs right under it; they’ll never expect an attack from inside.”
Hulbruck shook his head. “Negative. My mission takes priority. We take out the breeding facility first, then work on harassing local garrisons.”
Mason’s voice turned icy. “I’ve been in command here for the last five months. I don’t care what SecDef or anyone else says. I know this fight, and I remain in command of my men.”
Hulbruck didn’t flinch. “Are you refusing a direct order, Lieutenant Mason?”
Mason stood her ground. “You will have our assistance on your objective. After our successful operation.”
The silence was tense, and finally, Hulbruck nodded. “Very well, Lieutenant. We will assist with our knowledge of alien facilities.”
The Major was furious, but we focused on briefing her men about everything we knew. The plan wasn’t great, but the resistance hadn’t had many opportunities for solid plans in recent months.
We moved through the maintenance tunnel, which ran alongside the sewer, avoiding the worst of the smell. The darkness ahead was filled with uncertainty.
Wood, leading our group, signaled for us to stop. Up ahead, we saw the other team investigating something on the roof. They discovered an access point to the sewers, and to our surprise, there were no guards.
One of the soldiers got to work on the hatch, using a special compound to breach it. The paste burned white hot, melting through the seams and lighting up the tunnel. We shielded our eyes from the brightness.
Once the hatch was breached, we entered the facility, greeted by the same metallic architecture we had seen before. The hallway split into intersections, and we set up security at each point.
Our mission was simple: find a power source, set explosives, and warn everyone else to evacuate. We were to kill every alien we encountered.
As we moved deeper into the facility, a door opened, and two alien creatures emerged. One of our soldiers opened fire, and chaos erupted.
“Hey! Watch your fire!” Courchaine warned, but it was too late.
More aliens rushed out, and we fought back, using our training to adapt to the situation.
“Back. It’s over!” Hulbruck commanded, his rifle moving with precision.
We fell back in groups, covering each other as we retreated. The aliens were relentless, and we needed to regroup.
I pulled a smoke grenade and rolled it into the hallway, creating a thick cloud to obscure visibility. We ran for the T intersection, but I was dragging a wounded soldier with me.
“Leave him! You have to leave him!” the Major urged.
“No, I’m not leaving anyone behind!” I protested.
But as I looked at the soldier, I realized he was beyond saving.
“Get your act together,” Hulbruck said firmly. “It’s time to move.”
I nodded and ran for the access hatch, the sounds of the aliens growing closer.
We jumped into the underground, and I scanned the dark for the rest of our team.
Finally, we regrouped, and we knew we had to keep moving.
Check out the start of this extraterrestrial adventure with “I Survived 100 Days of THE INVASION,” or watch this video instead!
—
This version removes explicit language and graphic descriptions while maintaining the essence of the narrative.
Alien – In science, an alien refers to a life form from another planet or galaxy, distinct from life on Earth. – Scientists are constantly searching for evidence of alien life in the universe, hoping to answer the age-old question of whether we are alone.
Intelligence – In artificial intelligence, intelligence refers to the ability of a machine to perform tasks that typically require human-like cognitive functions such as learning and problem-solving. – The development of artificial intelligence has led to machines that can demonstrate remarkable levels of intelligence, such as playing complex games like chess and Go.
Technology – Technology refers to the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. – Advances in technology have revolutionized the field of medicine, allowing for more accurate diagnoses and innovative treatments.
Mission – In a scientific context, a mission refers to a specific task or operation undertaken to achieve a particular scientific goal, often involving exploration or research. – The Mars Rover mission aims to gather data about the planet’s surface and search for signs of past life.
Resistance – In science, resistance refers to the opposition to the flow of electric current or the ability of an organism to withstand harmful environmental factors. – Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern in the medical community, as it makes treating infections more difficult.
Communication – In technology, communication refers to the transmission of information between systems or devices, often involving electronic means. – The development of satellite communication has enabled real-time data exchange across the globe.
Facility – In a scientific context, a facility refers to a place, amenity, or piece of equipment provided for a particular purpose, such as research or manufacturing. – The new research facility is equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories for conducting advanced experiments in physics.
Assault – In cybersecurity, an assault refers to an attack on a computer system or network with the intent to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access. – The company implemented stronger security measures to protect against cyber assaults that could compromise sensitive data.
Underground – In geology, underground refers to the area beneath the Earth’s surface, often explored for scientific research or resource extraction. – Scientists are studying underground water reservoirs to better understand their role in the global water cycle.
Warfare – In a technological context, warfare refers to the use of advanced technology in military operations, including cyber warfare and drone warfare. – The rise of cyber warfare has prompted nations to develop sophisticated defenses against digital threats.
